Delhi Air Pollution: In response to escalating air pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) in the Delhi-NCR region. This heightened level of action aims to curb the severe pollution affecting the area, with GRAP-4 enforcement beginning Monday, November 18, at 8 a.m.
The GRAP-4 framework introduces a series of stringent restrictions designed to reduce air pollution, with specific measures activated progressively based on the severity of the air quality.
Given the current conditions, authorities are contemplating a temporary suspension of physical classes for some grade levels in schools, opting instead to conduct lessons online. This could apply to students in classes VI to IX and class XI across the region, depending on the decisions made by the NCR State Governments and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD). The primary classes are already being conducted in online mode.
Furthermore, vehicle restrictions will tighten under GRAP-4. Only vehicles powered by cleaner fuels such as LNG, CNG, and electric engines, along with BS-6 diesel trucks and those transporting essential goods, will be allowed to enter Delhi-NCR. This measure is intended to reduce the number of high-emission vehicles, which are significant contributors to the worsening air quality.
The situation in Delhi-NCR has reached alarming levels. As per the CAQM’s recent data, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared to 441 in the “severe” category by 4 p.m. on Sunday, showing a troubling trend of continued increase.
The AQI climbed further, hitting 447 by 5 p.m., 452 by 6 p.m., and a high of 457 by 7 p.m., pushing the capital into the “severe+” pollution category. This intensifying pollution level led to the transition from GRAP-3 to GRAP-4 restrictions.
On November 15, GRAP-3 restrictions were already in place in Delhi in an attempt to mitigate the worsening pollution. However, given the persistent and worsening air quality, CAQM determined that GRAP-4 restrictions were necessary.
s
In addition to school and traffic measures, further adaptations are being considered to limit the number of people commuting to work. State governments in the NCR and GNCTD may reduce the workforce in public, municipal, and private offices to 50% of normal capacity, encouraging the remaining employees to work from home. This approach seeks to decrease the movement of people and vehicles in the region, contributing to overall pollution reduction efforts.
The central government may also consider permitting remote work for employees in its offices, though a formal decision on this measure is still pending.
