After the air quality of the nation’s capital and its surrounding regions deteriorated, the central government imposed the GRAP IV restrictions again.
The Commission for Air Quality Management sub-committee has decided to take drastic measures to combat Delhi’s severe air pollution. With immediate effect, they’re implementing all actions under Stage-III (‘Severe Air Quality of Delhi) and Stage-IV (‘Severe+’ Air Quality of Delhi) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in place. This means stricter regulations to reduce pollution and improve air quality.
The GRAP was earlier invoked on December 22, 2023. The commission ordered that all agencies concerned must closely monitor and review the implemented actions to prevent the air quality from deteriorating further and necessitating the re-imposition of stricter Stage III measures.
“All actions of the GRAP schedule shall be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all the agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further. All implementing agencies shall keep strict vigil and intensify measures of the GRAP schedule. Citizens are requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter under GRAP,” the official statement added.
The CAQM had revoked Stage 3 restrictions on January 12 due to an improvement in the AQI of Delhi pertaining to rainfall.
GRAP-IV restrictions
The restrictions under GRAP-IV or Stage 4 involve a complete ban on trucks carrying non-essential items and creating more pollution, on building construction, and temporary shifting school education to online or hybrid mode, except standards 10 and 12.
Construction and Demolition project sites and industrial units that were shut down due to non-compliance with regulations cannot restart operations unless they receive explicit permission from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Mainly diesel trucks have been prohibited from entering the territory of Delhi that are non-essential as well. While Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are prohibited, heavy vehicles that are carrying out essential services are not banned.
The air quality of Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) worsens in winter and due to this reason, the authorities impose restrictions under GRAP which are made under four stages or categories- 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).
There have been many reasons for high level pollution in Delhi-NCR like adverse weather conditions, polluting emissions from vehicles, stubble burning, firecrackers, and other seasonal and local sources of pollution together make the air dangerous to inhale especially during winters.
Link to article –
