New Delhi: The Centre’s air quality panel has imposed Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR from 8 am on Monday. The move came after the city’s air quality plunged into the “severe” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 441 at 4 pm and further deteriorating to 457 by 7 pm.  

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued the order as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened, reaching 441 at 4 pm and rising to 457 by 7 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Delhi CM Atishi Orders Online Classes for All Except Classes 10 to 12 Under GRAP-4 Restrictions

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Sunday announced that all schools in Delhi will shift to online classes until further notice, citing the implementation of GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) restrictions.  

The decision mandates the discontinuation of in-person classes for all students, with exceptions made only for Classes 11 and 12. The measure aims to mitigate risks as the city grapples with heightened pollution levels and related challenges under GRAP-4 protocols.  

What’s Not Allowed

Truck Entry into Delhi:

• All non-essential trucks were prohibited from entering Delhi.
• Exceptions were made for trucks carrying essential goods like food and medicine.
• Vehicles running on clean fuels, such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electricity, were exempted from the ban.

Construction and Demolition Activities:

• All public construction and demolition projects, including work on highways, roads, flyovers, pipelines, and power lines, were halted.
• Private construction activities were also restricted under the ban.

Non-Essential Light Commercial Vehicles:

• Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi were barred from entering the city.
• Electric vehicles (EVs) and those running on CNG or BS-VI diesel were allowed to operate.

Older Diesel Goods Vehicles:

• Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles were banned.
• Exceptions were granted only to vehicles used for essential services, such as waste management or emergency supplies.

What’s Allowed

Educational Adjustments:

• Schools were shifted students from Classes 6 to 9 and Class 11 to online teaching.
• Students in other classes could continue with offline learning, subject to school discretion.

Workplace Operations:

• Private offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) were directed to operate at 50% capacity.
• The remaining workforce was encouraged to work from home.
• Central government employees were advised to adopt work-from-home arrangements, subject to departmental approval.

State-Specific Measures:

State governments in NCR were empowered to take additional measures, such as shutting down colleges, limiting non-essential commercial activities, or implementing odd-even vehicle rules to reduce vehicular emissions.

Delhi-NCR’s Persistent Pollution Crisis

The pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR has become an annual issue, with worsening air quality during the winter months. 

Stubble burning in neighboring states, industrial emissions, and vehicle pollution, combined with stagnant weather conditions, have led to severe smog episodes. 

Despite multiple interventions over the years, the region continues to grapple with hazardous air pollution levels.