Delhi`s Air Quality likely to turn worse in coming days, will AAP govt impose more curbs? Review today

Delhi AQI: In an order on Monday, the transport department of Delhi had said that owners of vehicles found plying in violation of the rule would be prosecuted under the Motor Vehicles Act, which could invite a fine of Rs 20,000.

New Delhi: The Delhi government, which has allowed the owners of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, will decide whether the curbs imposed in the national capital in view of rising air pollution should continue or not. The restrictions were in place till November 13 and they have not been extended yet. The AQI (air quality index) has been stable in the last four days in the city. There is a meeting on Monday to discuss what needs to be done," a Delhi government official said on Sunday.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) has predicted that Delhi will witness ‘poor’ air quality in the next two days and moderate fog between Monday and Thursday. At present, GRAP-III guidelines are being implemented in Delhi. ''If the condition worsens, we might be walking into GRAP IV restrictions soon. So far, with a slight improvement, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 320 on Sunday, which kept the NCR in “very poor category,” the official said.

Noida and Gurugram’s AQI was recorded at 341 and 324 respectively on Sunday.

During a review meeting last week, the Delhi government's transport department had decided that the curbs under stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) should remain in place for the next few days instead of a knee-jerk reaction.

"BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi will remain banned under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan," Environment Minister Gopal Rai had said on Monday last week.

In an order on Monday, the transport department had said that owners of vehicles found plying in violation of the rule would be prosecuted under the Motor Vehicles Act, which could invite a fine of Rs 20,000.

Vehicles deployed for emergency services and government and election-related work do not come under the ban purview.

The transport department had said in its order, "As per the directions provided under Stage III of revised GRAP, there will be a restriction to ply BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (four-wheelers) in the jurisdiction of NCT of Delhi. The above directions will remain enforced till November 13 or downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier. The restrictions will continue beyond November 13, if CAQM orders GRAP-III and above restrictions."