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New Delhi: In response to measures undertaken by pollution control authorities on Thursday, Delhi Metro is set to introduce an additional 20 train trips on its network beginning November 3. This initiative aims to promote the use of public transport in Delhi and its neighboring cities, as the region grapples with deteriorating air quality. At 5 pm, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 402, prompting the enforcement of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) by the Central pollution control panel, a protocol that is typically implemented during the winter season.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) issued a statement regarding these developments, stating, “In view of the implementation of GRAP-III stage to combat pollution in Delhi, the DMRC will be further adding 20 extra trips across its network starting tomorrow i.e., 3rd November 2023 (Friday).”
It is noteworthy that Delhi Metro had already augmented its services by 40 additional train trips on weekdays (Monday to Friday) since October 25, in response to the initiation of GRAP-II measures.
The DMRC further elaborated, “Thus, from tomorrow, the DMRC will be running a total of 60 additional trips as part of its measures taken under GRAP to encourage more and more people to use public transport in Delhi-NCR.”
In light of the ‘severe’ categorization of air quality in the city, the Central pollution control panel issued directives on Thursday to prohibit non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR and the entry of diesel-consuming trucks into the capital.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) classifies actions into four stages: Stage I – ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450).
Stage III of GRAP entails a complete halt on construction and demolition activities, except for essential government projects, mining, and stone crushing.
