Delhi AQI ‘severe’, primary schools shut, curbs on construction work

The transport department said a fine of Rs 20,000 would be imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. The restrictions on these vehicles will be applicable in the surrounding areas of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar too.

Barring projects related to the Railways, Metro, airports, healthcare facilities, defence and national security, sanitation and water supply, highways, flyovers, pipelines and roads, all other construction and demolition activities will be banned in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Painting, polishing and varnishing work, loading and unloading of construction material, stone-crushing, mining and associated activities will also be banned.

The AQI deteriorated to 418 by 9 pm on Thursday, from 364 on Wednesday afternoon.

Measures under Stage-III of GRAP are to be invoked at least three days ahead of the AQI turning “severe”, based on the “dynamic air quality forecast system” to be provided by the IMD/ IITM (India Meteorological Department/ Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology)”.

However, the IITM’s air quality early warning system on Thursday morning did not forecast “severe” conditions for the day. It said the air quality was likely to be in the “very poor” category, and would remain so from November 3 to 5. The outlook for the subsequent six days said it would be in the “very poor” to “severe” category.

In a communication, the CAQM said “unfavourable meteorological conditions, sudden increase in farm fire incidents and northwesterly winds moving pollutants into Delhi are the major causes for the sudden spike in AQI”.

As per GRAP Stage-III, which recommends intensifying public transport services and introducing differential rates to encourage off-peak travel, the Delhi Metro will add 20 extra trips across its network starting Friday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, AQI that is “severe” (401 to 500) can affect “healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases”.