NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday reimposed Stage-IV restrictions of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after air quality levels plunged into the ‘severe’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 400.
The Stage-IV restrictions include a complete ban on construction and demolition activities, curbs on industrial operations, and stricter measures to reduce vehicular emissions, aimed at addressing the worsening pollution.
Earlier in the day, the Centre’s air quality panel had invoked Stage-III of GRAP following a sharp decline in air quality. By 2 PM, Delhi’s AQI stood at 367, worsening from 351 in the morning, primarily due to unfavorable meteorological conditions like calm winds and low mixing height.
“Considering the highly unfavorable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and very low mixing height, which pushed Delhi’s AQI towards the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category, the panel’s sub-committee decided to impose Stage-III of the revised GRAP schedule with immediate effect across NCR,” stated an official order.
Schools and Vehicle Restrictions Under GRAP-III
As per the revised guidelines, schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar must shift classes up to Class V to a hybrid learning model. Where online facilities exist, parents and students can opt for virtual classes.
Additionally, GRAP Stage-III prohibits non-essential diesel-powered medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards from operating in Delhi. Diesel-powered light commercial vehicles (BS-IV or older) registered outside Delhi are also barred from entering the capital. This marks an expansion of earlier regulations, which targeted only BS-III vehicles.
Previous Developments
On December 5, the CAQM had revoked pollution control measures under GRAP Stages III and IV, relaxing restrictions to Stage-II, which included moderate curbs such as prohibiting coal and firewood usage in industries and commercial establishments like restaurants.
With the reimposition of GRAP-IV, authorities are now focused on mitigating pollution levels amid persistent unfavorable weather conditions that continue to exacerbate the air quality crisis in Delhi-NCR.
