Delhi air quality during Deepavali, firecracker and stubble burning ban

According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Delhi’s overall air quality was of very poor category on Diwali day and will remain so for the next few days. Representational image

Delhi bans plying of BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel four-wheelers till Dec 9

The Federal
5 Dec 2022 7:37 PM IST (Updated:2022-12-05 14:08:57)

The Delhi government on Monday (December 5) imposed a ban on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the city till December 9, in view of restrictions clamped by the Centre’s air quality panel under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The sub-committee for the implementation of GRAP held a meeting on Sunday (December 4) to review the air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and the air quality index of Delhi as air pollution turned severe.

Also read: Delhi pollution: How GRAP initiative is set to tackle winter blues

“As per the directions as provided under Stage III of the revised 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 LMVs (four-wheelers) in NCT of Delhi with immediate effect till December 9 or till downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier,” read an order issued by the transport department.

Vehicles deployed in emergency services and government or election work are exempt.

“If any BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV four-wheeler found plying on the roads will be prosecuted under section 194 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 which provides with a fine of ₹20,000,” the order said.

Also read: Delhiites working hard but still a long way to go: Kejriwal on Delhi pollution

The pollution level in Delhi entered the severe category after November 4, when the AQI was 447.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe.