Delhi's air quality plunged to "severe plus" status, prompting the authorities to implement stage 4 Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which restricted movement of trucks and some other vehicles and forced schools to move most classes online. On November 18 morning, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 500, as a toxic smog continued to blanker the National Capital Region (NCR).
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of measures activated based on the severity of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The stages are triggered as follows:
GRAP Stage 1: Activated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) ranges between 201-300. This stage involves basic measures such as public advisories, dust control, and restrictions on open burning.
GRAP Stage 2: Enforced when the AQI reaches 301-400. This stage includes stricter measures like restrictions on diesel generators, enhanced mechanised cleaning and increased road water sprinkling.
GRAP Stage 3: Imposed when the AQI exceeds 400. At this stage, non-essential construction is banned, heavy vehicle entry is limited, and brick kiln operations are halted.
GRAP Stage 4: Activated when the AQI crosses 450. The most stringent measures are implemented, including a complete stoppage of construction activities, school closures, and strict vehicle restrictions like odd-even schemes.
At present, GRAP stage 4 restrictions are in place and this is what it means:
Truck movement restricted: Only trucks carrying essential goods, providing essential services, or operating on LNG, CNG, or electricity are allowed entry into Delhi. All other trucks, including those carrying non-essential items, are banned.
Light commercial vehicles (LCVs): Non-Delhi registered light commercial vehicles are prohibited from entering Delhi, unless they are electric, running on CNG, or BS-VI diesel, and transporting essential goods.
Diesel vehicle ban: Delhi-registered medium goods vehicles (MGV) and heavy goods vehicles (HGV) that run on BS-IV and below diesel are banned from Delhi except those transporting essential commodities or providing essential services.
Construction and demolition work halted: All construction and demolition activities are suspended, including for infrastructure projects like roads, highways, flyovers, power lines, and pipelines.
Public health and safety measures:
Schools have been asked to shift to online classes for students in grades 6-9 and 11. Primary classes were already being held online.
Under GRAP 4, offices can be advised to operate at 50 percent capacity, with the remaining workforce working from home. Central government, too, can implement similar work-from-home policies.
Additional emergency measures, such as the closure of colleges, educational institutions, and non-essential commercial activities, may be considered.
Children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should stay indoors and avoid outdoor activities.
Authorities warn that air quality is likely to remain in the "severe" or "severe-plus" category due to heavy fog and unfavourable weather conditions.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.
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