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Delhi NCR GRAP Stage III curbs revoke as air quality improves

By Rishabh Chamoli | 2022-12-12

A significant improvement in the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi NCR has motivated the Central Governments air quality panel to lift curbs implemented under the Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As the air quality slipped to the severe category on December 4, 2022, necessary bans had been ordered.

The sub committee of the Central Governments air quality panel on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, revoked the curbs ordered under the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 304. The restrictions on non essential construction and demolition activities were ordered on Sunday, December 4, 2022, as the AQI had dropped to 407 (severe category). The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) last lifted the necessary restrictions on November 14, 2022, after the air quality had significantly improved in Delhi NCR.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology believe that the air quality will hover in the poor and very poor categories for the next few days hence, construction and demolition activities can be resumed immediately. The CAQM, however, has maintained a strict stand against allowing past violators who had been issued closure notices.

What are GRAP and its stages?
The GRAP is a set of measures followed in Delhi NCR to check air pollution levels. It is broadly divided into four stages, depending on the consistent AQI in the region.

While the regions AQI was averaging very poor in the last week of October 2022, the smog reached the severe zone, and this continued after November 1, 2022. However, the restrictions were lifted in the third week of November 2022 as the average AQI was poor, and nearly 100 points lower than what was needed to continue the restrictions under Stage III of GRAP. As air pollution worsened, the panel once again implemented a three day curb on December 4, 2022. Although the ban has been lifted, CAQM has emphasised the need to follow dust control norms.

Why was Stage III of the GRAP implemented in Delhi NCR in October and December 2022?
Alarmed by the rising pollution levels in Delhi NCR, the CAQM in an emergency meeting on October 30, 2022, had implemented Stage III of the GRAP and invoked necessary bans on construction and demolition activities. The region had witnessed an AQI of mostly above 300 since Diwali on October 24, 2022. The air quality dwindled and moved to the severe stage on December 4, 2022, with an AQI of 407, and the ban was re introduced.

Does construction ban impact property prices in the region?
According to experts, construction bans have a negligible impact on property prices. The construction ban, however, could delay project delivery. Currently, Greater Noida West has more than 1.3 lakh units under construction, and a construction ban could affect project deliveries in the future.

Furthermore, real estate prices in most cities are not so much determined by environmental concerns as by access, proximity to city centres and major employment centres, urban mobility, and affordability.

Although realty transactions in Delhi NCR have been steadily growing, the constant restrictions may impact project delivery significantly. However, on the brighter side, despite restrictions, housing sales have been strong, and it is hoped that the positive demand continues.