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Jaipur, November 12 (IANS) In view of the alarming increase in pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) including Delhi, the Central Government has implemented the third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3).
As part of this measure, the restrictions already in place in Delhi and its surrounding areas will now be extended to Alwar and Bharatpur districts of Rajasthan, both of which fall under the NCR region. Under GRAP-3, several strict restrictions have been imposed to deal with deteriorating air quality. The use of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles has been completely banned in Delhi-NCR, this rule will now be applicable to the vehicles of Alwar and Bharatpur also.
As a result, such vehicles plying from Rajasthan to Delhi will be stopped, while only cargo vehicles carrying essential goods will be allowed. The new restrictions are expected to cause disruption to transport routes passing through Bharatpur, Alwar and Bhiwadi, leaving many vehicles stranded on the highways.
According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the decision to implement GRAP-3 was taken after Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) rose from 362 to 430, placing it in the ‘severe’ category.
These new measures are in addition to the restrictions already in place under GRAP Phases 1 and 2.
While the AQI in Alwar is currently 120, the rules will still be in place there as a preventive step, while Bhiwadi’s AQI has reached 380, indicating hazardous air quality levels. According to the GRAP-3 guidelines, private BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles will be banned, non-essential construction and demolition activities will be stopped, and trucks carrying materials like cement and sand will not be allowed.
There will be a ban on diesel buses in and out of Delhi, while schools up to class 5 will remain closed as classes will shift online. Additionally, stone crushers and mining activities will be suspended, diesel generators will be allowed only for emergency use, and offices will be advised to adopt work from home or hybrid operations. Along with pollution concerns, cold has increased across Rajasthan in the last 24 hours.
The minimum temperature dropped below 10 degrees Celsius in nine cities, with the lowest temperature recorded at 6.9 degrees in Fatehpur. The minimum temperature in the state capital Jaipur was 13.6 degrees.
–IANS
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