CAQM calls GRAP-4 reports ‘misleading’, confirms only stage-3 in Delhi-NCR
text_fields
New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming that Delhi-NCR had moved to Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), calling them “false” and urging the public to ignore such misinformation.
In a statement, the CAQM said several news channels and digital platforms were circulating “misleading information” suggesting that the highest tier of emergency curbs was in force. It emphasised that Stage-III, and not Stage-IV, of the Graded Response Action Plan continues to be operational across the National Capital Region.
“At present, Stage-III of the extant GRAP is in force across the entire NCR. Stakeholders and the public are advised to rely only on official updates and press releases issued by the CAQM for NCR and adjoining areas,” the Commission said.
Stage-III measures are implemented when the Air Quality Index (AQI) touches the ‘severe’ category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI levels as follows: 0–50 ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.
Under Stage-III of GRAP, several stringent restrictions come into effect, including a ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities, limits on the use of diesel generators, enhanced industrial pollution controls, and intensified mechanical road sweeping and water-sprinkling. Government agencies may also enforce tighter traffic management and impose curbs on certain polluting industries to prevent further deterioration of air quality.
Stage-IV, the emergency level of the plan, involves far more sweeping measures. These typically include a complete ban on construction activities, restrictions on the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi, closure of schools and non-essential commercial establishments, and possible curbs on private vehicles through odd-even or similar schemes.
With PTI inputs