Pollution Crisis: As AQI Reaches ‘Severe’ Level, These Vehicles Banned In Delhi

New Delhi: Air pollution levels in the national Capital reached alarming levels yet again, forcing the government to take measures including banning of certain vehicles at least for this week.

As air quality index (AQI) turned ‘severe’ at 407 in Delhi on Sunday, the Delhi transport department on Monday — in compliance with measures under Stage III of graded response action plan (Grap) — banned the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheeler vehicles within the city with immediate effect.

“As per directions provided under Stage-III of the Grap and under Section 115 of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, it is hereby ordered that there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III Petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles (four-wheelers) in Delhi with immediate effect, till December 9, 2022, or till downward revision in the Grap stage, whichever is earlier,” stated the notice issued by Delhi’s transport department.

The ban will be effective till December 9, 2022, unless the CAQM removes Stage III restrictions earlier than that, the notice said.

However, the order mentioned that diesel four-wheelers used in emergency services or government/election work are exempted from this ban.

Violators will be fined up to Rs 20,000, as per section 194 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

AQI in Delhi touched ‘severe’ category for the first time in a month on Sunday, following which the commission for air quality management (CAQM) held an emergency meeting and applied all measures under Stage III with immediate effect, including ban on private construction activities across Delhi-NCR, closure of all brick kilns and hot mix plants not operating on clean fuels, closure of all stone crushers in NCR and a ban on mining and its associated activities.

Delhi’s air quality improved slightly on Monday, returning to ‘very poor’ at 366 recorded at 7 am, compared to 407 at 4 pm a day earlier.

AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, between 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and over 400 severe.

Also Read: Air Pollution Is Shortening Life By 10 Years In Delhi: AQLI Report