Amid sharp dip in air quality, GRAP 4 curbs invoked in Delhi-NCR
text_fields
New Delhi: An official order states that the Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR air quality imposed limitations under stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Wednesday, in response to a severe drop in air quality caused by poor meteorological circumstances.
Calm winds, low temperatures, and foggy weather caused pollutants to accumulate in the region, resulting in an air quality index of 396 at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, up from 275 on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predicted that AQI may breach the 400 mark soon.
Accordingly, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed authorities in Delhi-NCR to "straightway invoke" all actions under stages 3 and 4 with immediate effect, PTI reported.
Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities, entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and mandatory shifting of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.
Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for essential services under Stage 4.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorizes air quality into four stages – Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.