The central government’s air quality panel has announced stricter pollution control measures in Delhi from Monday as the air quality index deteriorated to ‘severe+’ for the first time this season.
Measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will come into effect from 8 am on Monday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said in its order.
The AQI in the national capital region (NCR) rose sharply to 457 by 7pm on Sunday, according to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The spike prompted the GRAP sub-committee to call an emergency meeting to discuss measures to tackle the worsening air quality.
"Keeping in view the prevailing trend of deteriorating air quality of NCR, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of GRAP - 'Severe+' Air Quality (Delhi's AQI > 450), w.e.f. 08:00 AM of 18.11.2024 (tomorrow) in the entire NCR," the CAQM said.
Stricter measures in place
- No trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric).
- Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.
- Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services.
- Construction activities at public projects have been temporarily halted.
These measures are in addition to the preventive/ restrictive actions mentioned under Stage I, Stage II and Stage III of GRAP already in force.
Panel’s suggestions
- Online teaching for the students of Classes 6 to 9 and Class 11
- Work from home for half of the staff in offices in the NCR
- Work-from-home options for central government employees
The GRAP for the national capital region is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality: 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 above 450).