Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category, prompting the central pollution watchdog to invoke restrictions under the third stage of GRAP in Delhi-NCR. THE Air quality index in the city stood at 420 as of 6 a.m. Friday, with 26 stations recording an AQI of 400 or above.

The stations which recorded air quality in the ‘severe’ category include Anand Vihar (455), Ashok Vihar (452), Bawana (449), Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (405), Dwarka Sector 8 (456) , IGI Airport (447). , Jahangirpuri (456), Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium (443), Mandir Marg (425), Mundka (459), NSIT Dwarka (431), Najafgarh (438), Narela (436), Nehru Nagar (457), North Campus -DU (400), Okhla Phase-2 (437), Patparganj (461), Punjabi Bagh (458), Pusa-IMD (405), RK Puram (450), Rohini (454), Shadipur (421), Sirifort ( 440), Sonia Vihar (419), Vivek Vihar (447) and Wazirpur (456).

A AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, 401 and 450 “severe” and above of 450 “severe”. -more”.

In order to curb increasing pollution, the Air Quality Management Commission (AQIM) said the Delhi government and NCR states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan , would impose GRAP-III restrictions.

GRAP-III: What is prohibited and what is permitted?

Under the third stage of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP), strict restrictions will be imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel (four-wheelers) in the national capital and surrounding areas. Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. A fine of Rs 20,000 will be imposed in case of violation of the restriction.

All interstate buses from NCR will be banned from entering Delhi, except electric vehicles, CNG vehicles and BS-VI diesel buses.

Construction and demolition activities as well as mining-related activities will be subject to strict bans. The CAQM, however, indicated that activities linked to construction, which are relatively less polluting and less dust-generating, will be authorized in the NCR, subject to strict compliance with C&D waste management rules.

Diesel generators will only be used for emergency purposes. Industrial operations that do not operate on fuels on the standard list of permitted fuels will also remain prohibited.

Large welding and gas cutting operations will also remain prohibited. However, minor welding activities for MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) work will be permitted.

Painting, polishing and varnishing, cement, plaster/other coatings, cutting/grinding and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials, as well as waterproofing work will not be permitted , except for minor interior repairs/maintenance.

Water will be sprayed daily on main roads to eliminate dust.

Delhi Metro will include 20 additional trips (in addition to the 40 already in place since the implementation of GRAP-II) in its weekday services, starting Friday, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation said.

Physical classes for primary schools will not take place until further notice, but online classes can continue and students up to grade 5 can also be considered for virtual classes. Several schools in Delhi offer limited outdoor activities to students.

The GRAP-III restrictions will come into effect at 8 a.m. Friday.