Delhi-NCR enforces GRAP Stage 3 as AQI nears 400; schools up to Class 5 told to go online

New Delhi: Air pollution in Delhi-NCR has taken a serious turn even before Diwali. The Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached close to 400, sharply worsening air quality. The AQI in the capital was recorded at 382.

In view of this, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. Restrictions have been placed on construction, vehicle movement and industrial work under it.

Keeping in mind the impact of pollution on children's health, schools up to Class 5 have been directed to stay closed and run online classes. Private companies have been advised to have employees work from home or adopt a hybrid arrangement.

Under GRAP-3, non-essential construction and demolition work has been banned. Excavation of earth, piling for foundations and trench digging will remain suspended. Some operations of ready-mix concrete projects will also not be permitted. Transport of construction materials such as sand and cement will also be barred. Stone crushers, mining and polluting hot-mix plants have been directed to stay shut.

Vehicles are also under tighter curbs. Four-wheelers running on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel have been barred from plying in Delhi-NCR. Diesel buses coming from other states will not be allowed to enter Delhi. Use of diesel generators will also be prohibited, except for essential services.

GRAP has four stages in all, imposed according to the severity of pollution. The first stage applies when the AQI is between 201 and 300, the second between 301 and 400, the third between 401 and 450, and the fourth when it goes above 450. However, based on pollution forecasts and current conditions, the Commission can also take a precautionary decision, meaning measures can be taken even before a stage's threshold is crossed.

Keeping pollution in check in Delhi during Diwali has become a major challenge for the administration.