The ‘severe’ Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has led to the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Delhi-NCR will come under GRAP-4 restrictions from today. The decision was taken after Delhi’s AQI surpassed 450 mark yesterday. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) wrote on X, “Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 441 today, which further rose to 457 today at 7PM. CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly invokes 8-point action plan as per Stage-IV of GRAP w.e.f. 8:00 AM of 18.11.2024, in the entire NCR.”
Notably, the AQI has remained in ‘severe’ category since 13th November in the national capital. Earlier, the CAQM had imposed restrictions under GRAP Stage 3 on Thursday evening – a day after AQI hit the ‘severe’ category for the first time. The administration had put restrictions on running BS III petrol and BS IV diesel-operated four-wheelers in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Besides, construction and demolition activities that generate dust were banned, with exceptions to the activities to build projects like metro, railways, and linear public projects like highways, roads, and flyovers. The administration had decided to shut down all classes up to standard V for primary school students, in government and private schools.
Severe Plus AQI
AQI between 401 – 450 is considered ‘severe,’ and when it surpasses 450 it is considered ‘severe plus’. ‘Severe plus’ poses health risks for healthy individuals and serious impacts for those with pre-existing conditions.
Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 441 today, which further rose to 457 today at 7PM.
---Advertisement---CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly invokes 8-point action plan as per Stage-IV of GRAP w.e.f. 8:00 AM of 18.11.2024 (tomorrow), in the entire NCR.
— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) November 17, 2024
8-Point Action Plan As Per Stage-IV Of GRAP
Under GRAP stage 4, following are the restrictions that will come into effect:
Truck with non-essential items will not be allowed to enter into Delhi. However, all LNG/CNG/ electric/ BS-VI Diesel trucks will be permitted.
LCV’s registered outside Delhi other than EVs/ CNG/BS-VI diesel will not be permitted to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities.
Strict ban will be enforced on plying of Delhi- registered BS-IV and below diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles and Heavy Goods Vehicles, except those carrying essential goods.
Construction and demolition (C&D) activities will be banned as in the GRAP Stage III.
NCR state governments and GNTCD may take a decision on discontinuation of physical classes even for classes VI-IX, class XI and conduct lessons in online point.
Central government may take appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees in central government office.
State government can also consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges, educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting running of vehicles on odd-even basis.
NCR state governments and GNTCD will take decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and rest to work from home.
Delhi CM Announces Discontinuation Of Physical Classes
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi also announced the discontinuation of physical classes for students apart from Class 10 and 12. She wrote on X, “With the imposition of GRAP-4 from tmrw, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. All schools will hold online classes, until further orders.”
With the imposition of GRAP-4 from tmrw, physical classes shall be discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. All schools will hold online classes, until further orders.
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 17, 2024
AQI In Delhi
As per Central Pollution Control Board, AQI in Delhi was recorded at 483 on Monday at 7 am. Blanket of smog has engulfed Delhi-NCR.
AQI recorded from several areas of Delhi remain 450+
Mundka (495), Nehru Nagar (494), Bawana (495), IGI Airport (T3) (494), Punjabi Bagh (493), Rohini (491), Wazirpur (490), Patparganj (485), Anand Vihar (487), Najafgarh (493), Pusa (487), Lodhi Road (469), Jahangirpuri (484), R K Puram (465), Okhla Phase-2 (479), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (474), ITO (467), Burari Crossing (461), Chandni Chowk (444).
#WATCH | Delhi: A layer of smog envelops the national capital as air quality remains in the 'Severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2024
Drone visuals from the ITO area shot at 7:50 am pic.twitter.com/x7RA2C7wZD
Delhi Airport Issues Passenger Advisory
In view of the deteriorating air quality and smog conditions prevailing over Delhi-NCR, Delhi Airport has confirmed that low visibility procedures are in progress at the airport. It has requested passengers to contact the concerned airline for updated flight information.
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/QRx6v26Ral
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) November 18, 2024
IndiGo Airline on Sunday issued travel advisory amid dense fog. It wrote on X, “Fog is currently affecting visibility in Delhi, which may result in slow moving traffic and delays in flight schedules. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking flight status before starting your journey https://bit.ly/3DNYJqj. Safe travels!”
#6ETravelAdvisory: Fog is currently affecting visibility in Delhi, which may result in slow moving traffic and delays in flight schedules. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking flight status before starting your journey https://t.co/rpnOvAOxQl. Safe travels!
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 17, 2024
I & B Ministry Advises To Limit Outdoor Exposure
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also took to X to inform citizens about implementation of GRAP Stage 4. “In response to the alarming rise in air pollution, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, effective from 8 AM on November 18, 2024. With the AQI surpassing 450, stringent measures will be enforced, including restrictions on truck traffic, and a suspension of construction activities. Citizens, especially vulnerable groups, are advised to limit outdoor exposure,” wrote I & B.
In response to the alarming rise in air pollution, @CAQM_Official has invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, effective from 8 AM on November 18, 2024.
With the AQI surpassing 450, stringent measures will be enforced, including restrictions on… pic.twitter.com/CeXWmjByND
— Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (@MIB_India) November 17, 2024
#WATCH | Delhi: People take a morning walk around Kartavya Path amid a dense layer of smog enveloping various parts of the city.
As per the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality here has dropped to 'Severe' category. pic.twitter.com/FH0wWaKJ9f
— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2024
#WATCH | Rahul says, "I have been living in Delhi for 6 years now…I urge the Government to take proper measures, everyone's condition is bad…Environmental action needs to be taken very soon…" pic.twitter.com/VfR99s3Pbe
— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2024
