“Considering the highly unfavourable meteorological conditions including calm winds and very low mixing height leading the AQI of Delhi into the higher end of ‘Very Poor’ Category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to impose Stage-III of the revised GRAP schedule issued on 13.12.2024 (Friday) in the entire NCR, with immediate effect,” an official order from Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said.
At 2 pm, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 367, falling in the ‘Very Poor’ category. This decline, caused by calm winds and low mixing height, often persists from November to January.
Here’s the list of key rules that come into effect under GRAP Stage III
Under GRAP III, these measures have been announced:
- Schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar must shift classes up to Class V to a hybrid mode. Parents and students can opt for online education wherever available.
- A ban has been imposed on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards 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, these restrictions were limited to BS-III vehicles.
- Persons with disabilities are exempted from restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and NCR districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
- Delhi and NCR state governments are instructed to stagger working hours for public offices and municipal bodies. The Centre may follow suit for central government offices in the region.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) categorises air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor): AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor): AQI between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe): AQI between 401 and 450, Stage IV (Severe Plus): AQI above 450.
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
First Published: Dec 16, 2024 4:35 PM IST
