The air quality panel for Delhi-NCR activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) immediately on Monday, December 16, due to a significant decline in air quality attributed to unfavorable weather.
“Given the extremely poor meteorological conditions, including calm winds and a very low mixing height causing Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to reach the upper ‘Very Poor’ category, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee has decided to implement Stage III of the updated GRAP schedule issued on December 13, 2024, throughout the entire NCR without delay,” stated an official release from the CAQM.
At 2 PM, the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 367, categorized as ‘Very Poor’
This deterioration, driven by calm winds and low mixing height, is common from November through January.
Here are the key rules that have been enacted under GRAP Stage III:
1. Schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar are required to shift classes for students up to Class V to a hybrid format. Parents and students can choose online education where it is available.
2. A ban on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles meeting BS-IV or older standards has been enforced in Delhi. Additionally, non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles with BS-IV or older standards from outside Delhi are prohibited from entering the city.
Previously, these restrictions applied only to BS-III vehicles.
3. Individuals with disabilities are exempt from the restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and the NCR districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
4. The governments of Delhi and NCR are to stagger working hours for public offices and municipal organizations, with the Centre possibly following the same approach for central government offices in the area.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) categorizes 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, and Stage IV (Severe Plus): AQI above 450.
