In view of the continuously deteriorating air quality in Delhi and NCR, the Delhi government has decided to re-implement the third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The decision comes following the central government’s order banning the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the region as these older vehicles emit large amounts of harmful particles into the air. Are.
Which vehicles are banned and which are exempted?
This ban has been imposed with immediate effect in the National Capital Territory (NCT) Delhi. Vehicles deployed in emergency services, police vehicles and government vehicles used for enforcement purposes are exempted.
Violators of this ban will be slapped with a hefty fine of Rs 20,000 under Section 194(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating and implementing strategies to reduce air pollution, has observed a significant rise in Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI). AQI was recorded at 458 and 457 at 10 am and 11 am respectively. Adverse weather conditions and local pollution sources have been identified as factors in increasing air pollution levels.
GRAP classifies actions into four stages based on AQI levels: Stage I “poor” (AQI 201–300), Stage II “very poor” (AQI 301–400), Stage III “severe” (AQI 401–450 ), and Stage IV “Severe Plus” (AQI > 450). On January 2, the central government had lifted the restrictions imposed under Stage-III of GRAP-III in the capital. The decision to cancel the measures implemented on December 22 last year was taken because air quality appeared to be improving at that time.