Pollution in Delhi: Metro to operate 20 additional train journeys across its network from November 3 as GRAP-III starts
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 402 at 5 pm, prompting the Centre’s pollution control panel to impose phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to be implemented in the region during the winter season.
New Delhi: Delhi Metro will operate 20 additional train journeys across its network from November 3 following the measures taken by pollution control authorities on Thursday to encourage more and more people to use public transport in Delhi and neighboring cities, officials said. Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 402 at 5 pm, prompting the Centre’s pollution control panel to impose phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to be implemented in the region during the winter season.
“In view of the implementation of the GRAP-III phase to combat pollution in Delhi, the DMRC will add an additional 20 trips across its network from tomorrow i.e. November 3, 2023 (Friday),” the DMRC said in a statement. Delhi Metro is already operating 40 additional train journeys on weekdays (Monday to Friday) from October 25, when the GRAP-II phase came into effect.
“So, from tomorrow, the DMRC will conduct a total of 60 additional trips as part of the measures taken under GRAP to encourage more and more people to use public transport in Delhi-NCR,” it added.
The Centre’s pollution control panel on Thursday issued directions banning non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR and entry of diesel-guzzling trucks in the national capital as the air quality in the city entered the ‘severe’ category.
GRAP categorizes actions into four phases: Phase I – ‘Bad’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Phase IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450). Phase III of GRAP includes a complete halt to construction and demolition work, except for essential government projects, mining and rock crushing.
(With PTI inputs)