Centre’s air quality panel for Delhi-NCR invokes anti-pollution measures under GRAP III

Delhi: The Centre’s air quality panel for Delhi-NCR on Monday implemented restrictive measures under stage three of the air pollution control plan following a significant decline in air quality due to adverse weather conditions.

At 2 pm, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 367. Poor air quality, often triggered by unfavourable meteorological factors, typically persists between November and January.

“Given the highly unfavourable meteorological conditions, such as calm winds and very low mixing height, which have pushed Delhi’s AQI to the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category, the sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan has decided to impose stage 3 of the revised GRAP schedule (issued on Friday) across the NCR, effective immediately,” an official order stated.

Under the revised plan, schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar are required to switch classes up to Class V to a hybrid mode under Stage III of GRAP. Students and parents can opt for online education where available.

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Stage III also prohibits non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards from operating within Delhi. Similarly, non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi, are barred from entering the city. Previously, such restrictions were limited to BS-III vehicles.

Persons with disabilities are exempt from restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and the NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar under Stage III.

Additionally, Delhi and NCR state governments have been instructed to stagger working hours for public offices and municipal bodies as part of Stage III measures. The Centre may consider similar staggered timings for central government offices in Delhi-NCR.

During the winter months, Delhi frequently implements restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which classifies air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor) for AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450.

(With inputs from PTI)