The Commission for Air Quality Management (CQAM), which is responsible for air quality over Delhi-NCR has introduced a revised plan to combat winter pollution, urging states to enforce stricter measures when air quality declines. The revised plan also mandates that schools switch to hybrid learning on days with severe air pollution.
Delhi’s AQI stood at 367 at 2 pm. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. In an official statement, the CAQM said, “Considering the highly unfavorable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and very low mixing height, which have pushed the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi into the higher end of the “very poor” category, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to impose Stage III of the revised GRAP schedule issued on December 13, 2024, throughout the NCR.”
Restrictions Under GRAP Stage III
Under this new stage, several restrictions have been put in place to combat the deteriorating air quality:
GRAP III restrictions, a set of measures aimed at curbing air pollution, have been implemented in Delhi-NCR due to a sharp rise in pollution levels. These restrictions include:
- School Closure: Schools up to class 5 have been shifted to hybrid learning mode, allowing students and parents to choose between online and in-person classes.
- Vehicle Restrictions: Diesel goods vehicles are banned within Delhi, and those with BS-IV or older engines are restricted from entering the city.
- Construction and Demolition Activities: Non-essential construction and demolition activities have been halted to reduce dust pollution.
- Staggered Work Hours: Government offices in Delhi and neighboring states have been directed to stagger their working hours to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
These measures are aimed at reducing vehicular emissions, construction dust, and other sources of pollution, thereby improving the air quality in Delhi-NCR.
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