Delhi enforces highest curbs, stage III and IV as AQI slips into severe plus – Firstpost

As air pollution worsened rapidly over the course of Saturday, authorities rolled out the toughest set of emergency measures across Delhi and neighbouring cities to curb further damage. A combination of traffic curbs, work-from-home directives, school restrictions, and construction bans came into force as air quality readings climbed steadily through the day.

After Delhi’s Air Quality Index touched 401 at 10 am, the Commission for Air Quality Management imposed Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). With conditions continuing to deteriorate, Stage IV was invoked later in the day. The AQI crossed 450 and entered the ‘severe plus’ category by 8 pm, rising further to 455 at 9 pm. Currently, all stages of GRAP are in force.

“The AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 431 at 4 pm, exhibited an increasing trend and has been recorded as 441 at 6 pm owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters, meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants,” said CAQM. It added that Stage IV was imposed in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.

Work, schools and construction hit

Under the new directions, movement of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers has been restricted in Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. Construction and demolition activity has been banned across Delhi-NCR, a move expected to impact daily-wage labourers. Exemptions earlier given to linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines and telecommunication works under Stage III have been withdrawn with the enforcement of Stage IV. Entry of non-essential trucks running on non-cleaner fuels into Delhi has also been barred.

Following the enforcement of the higher GRAP stages, the Delhi government issued directions under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. All government and private offices in Delhi have been asked to operate at 50% staff strength, with the remaining employees working from home. Schools run by the government, government-aided, unaided and recognised private institutions have been directed to conduct classes in hybrid mode, except for Classes X and XII.

Vehicle restrictions and health advisory

Stages III and IV of GRAP place a strong emphasis on reducing vehicular emissions. Restrictions apply to BS III petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles, BS IV diesel or below trucks entering the capital, Delhi-registered diesel-operated BS IV and below heavy goods vehicles, Delhi-registered diesel-operated medium goods vehicles, and non-Delhi-registered BS IV diesel-operated goods carriers entering the city. “Children, elderly and those with chronic diseases should avoid outdoor activities,” CAQM advised.