Ban on non-essential construction, plying of BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel cars lifted in Delhi-NCR 

A ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers was lifted on Thursday by the centre in Delhi-NCR amid an improvement in air quality in the region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation said that preventive measures are in place and the forecast suggests further improvement. It also noted a significant improvement with an AQI of 316 at 2 pm, well below the threshold for invoking Stage-III actions under the air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan. However, Stage I to Stage II actions remain in effect to prevent a shift to the ‘severe’ category. The Stage III restrictions were activated on Sunday after air quality plummeted to ‘severe plus’ levels. The curbs include a ban on non-essential construction work and the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the region. Construction work related to national security or defence, projects of national importance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, interstate bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation, and water supply were exempt from the ban. GRAP is the Centre’s air pollution control plan implemented in the region during the winter season. It categorises actions into four stages: Stage I - ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II - ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III - ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - ‘Severe Plus’ (when AQI is more than 450). With inputs from PTI.