Lagatar24 Desk
NEW DELHI: Starting Monday, November 18, at 8 am, anti-pollution restrictions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will come into effect in Delhi. The move follows a sharp deterioration in the city’s air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting the ‘severe plus’ category at 457 on Sunday evening.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced stricter measures to curb pollution and has urged the Delhi government to consider implementing an “odd-even” vehicle rationing scheme and shifting classes 6-9 and 11 to online mode.
Key Restrictions Under GRAP-IV
•Ban on Truck Entry: Entry of all trucks, except those providing essential services, has been prohibited in Delhi.
•Restrictions on Diesel Vehicles: Registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are not allowed to operate.
•Halt on Construction: All construction activities, including projects for highways, roads, flyovers, and overbridges, will be suspended until further notice.
•School Closures: Primary schools remain closed, with classes operating online, a continuation of measures implemented under Stage III of GRAP.
•Workforce Adjustments: The government is considering allowing public and private offices to operate at 50% capacity, encouraging remote work for the remaining staff.
Health Advisory
The CAQM has advised the elderly, children, and individuals with respiratory, cardiovascular, or chronic illnesses to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible.
Transport Initiatives
Citizens have been urged to:
•Use public transport to reduce road congestion.
•Opt for carpooling wherever possible.
In response, the Delhi Metro has added 60 additional trips to facilitate public commuting amid the rising pollution levels.
Delhi’s Worsening Air Quality
The city has been grappling with severe pollution, with AQI crossing the ‘severe’ threshold last Wednesday for the first time this season. On Sunday, all monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI levels above 400, with Bawana (490), Ashok Vihar (487), and Wazirpur (483) among the most polluted areas.
