Construction work banned in Delhi amid ‘severe plus’ smog

An anti-smog gun on a multi-purpose vehicle sprays water droplets to curb air pollution in New Delhi. (ANI Photo/Shrikant Singh via Reuters Connect)

Visibility in the city fell to around 100 metres due to the pollution, while air pollution levels have been required at 1,500 on the Air Quality Index (AQI). According to Swiss technology company IQAir, that puts the air in Delhi at 15 times the level considered satisfactory for breathing by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The construction ban comes after the introduction of ‘GRAP Stage 4’ restrictions, imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management. They are the highest set of anti-pollution restrictions and started today (Monday 18 November).

The ban involves a halt to nearly all construction and demolition works. The ban on works under GRAP 4 extends to certain “linear public projects” including roads, highways, flyovers, power transmission and pipelines that were permitted under the slightly less strict GRAP Stage 3.

In addition to construction activity being stopped, no trucks will be allowed to enter Delhi except for those carrying essential items. Some older diesel vehicles have also been banned.