Centre bans non-essential construction work, plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel cars in Delhi-NCR

The Centre on Sunday banned non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR amid worsening air quality in the region. The Commission for Air Quality Management noted a significant rise in Delhi's AQI (458 and 457 at 10 am and 11 am) due to "unfavourable climatic conditions and local pollution sources". The committee, which is a statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation, decided to implement GRAP Stage-III curbs immediately.