Construction ban in Delhi-NCR as AQI on verge of 'severe'

NEW DELHI: With air quality likely to touch "severe" in Delhi on Sunday, the sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday banned all construction and demolition activities across Delhi-NCR, ordered closure of brick kilns and hot mix plants not operating on approved fuels apart from barring stone crushers and mining operations.
The measures were enforced as per the "severe" category under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. Delhi's average AQI on Saturday plummeted to 397, in the "very poor" zone verging on "severe", and is likely to deteriorate further till Tuesday. The share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 rose to 21%, the highest so far this season.
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The CAQM chairperson has written to the Punjab chief secretary requesting immediate action to curb farm fires in the state. CAQM has also sought proper implementation of the action plan and a comprehensive report on action taken in all reported cases of stubble-burning.
‘Delhi may impose curbs on some vehicles’
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Grap III measures in Delhi-NCR from Saturday, in anticipation of a further deterioration in air quality over the next few days. “The winds are forecasted to be calm in the coming days and the wind direction is likely to change course frequently. Thus, there is a high likelihood of the pollutants getting trapped in the region,” it said.
Unlike previous years, the modified GRAP’s stage II, III and IV come into force in advance, based on the forecast. The order banned C&D activities, except railway services/railway stations, Metro rail services including stations, airports and inter-state bus terminals, national security/ defence related activities/projects of national importance, hospitals, linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission and pipelines, sanitation projects like sewage treatment plants and water supply project etc; and ancillary activities specific to and supplementing above categories of projects. However, nonpolluting and non-dust generating activities, including plumbing, interior decoration, electrical and carpentry work, will be allowed.
The ban on C&D activities will severely impact daily-wage labourers involved in the housing sector. CAQM has banned industries running on non-approved fuels in industrial areas having PNG infrastructure and supply. However, industries running on non-cleaner fuels in industrial areas where PNG infrastructure and supply are unavailable will be allowed to operate for five days a week till December 31. Milk and dairy units and those involved in manufacturing of life-saving medical equipment, drugs and medicines have been exempted from the restrictions. CAQM said state governments in NCR/ Delhi may impose curbs on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4-wheelers).
The commission asked implementing agencies to intensify frequency of mechanised sweeping of roads, conduct daily water sprinkling along with use of dust suppressants and intensification of public transport services and introduction of differential rates to encourage off-peak travel. Citizens have been advised to choose a cleaner commute. People, whose positions allow working from home, may work from home and individual house owners may provide electric heaters to security staff to avoid open burning.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment, said, “The impact on emergency measures depends on the effective implementation with zero tolerance in the entire Delhi and NCR. But deeper and sustained action is required to permanently reduce emissions.” Since farm fires are rising in Punjab, the CAQM chairperson highlighted the fact that despite repeated assurances by senior state government officials, the farm fire numbers weren’t brought down.