AQI: Government Defies Its Own GRAP-4 Rules in Delhi

An exclusive documentary by Republic TV revealed that construction activity is continuing in full speed at the heart of Delhi despite the government's tight efforts to address the city's chronic air pollution, nearly acting on a war footing when AQI values surpassed 400.

The strict Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV), which prohibits building in the capital, was activated on Saturday by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Additionally, it stipulated that cars hauling construction equipment would not be permitted in the nation's capital. However, the Republic TV report said that all of these regulations were broken because construction was underway in multiple locations and trucks, dumpers, and concrete mixers were observed traveling through central Delhi.

From Thursday night to Friday morning, Republic TV monitored a number of locations in central Delhi where construction was underway. According to official regulations, all construction was supposed to cease 48 hours ago, but the study showed that massive projects were still underway. 

The security personnel stationed outside the gates at one such building site in Sarojoni Nagar denied any such activity was taking place. When the reporter attempted to speak with workers at the location, they ran away. Images from the location indicated that individuals had been stationed there, as indicated by the smoke, and that the lights had been turned on. As soon as they learned that the Republic team was arriving, they fled into concealment.