The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reimposed GRAP 4 restrictions in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) on the night of December 16 due to alarming air pollution levels.
The fourth stage restrictions were invoked hours after CAQM imposed GRAP-3 curbs in the national capital on the afternoon of December 16 due to adverse air quality levels.
Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index, which stood at 379 at 4 pm on December 15, breached the 400 mark around 10 pm amid extremely calm winds and "buildup of an inversion layer adversely affecting the vertical mixing height".
What to Expect Under GRAP-4 Restrictions?
According to the CAQM norms, implementation of GRAP-4 includes restriction on movements of trucks into Delhi, allowing only vehicles transporting essential items and services and those operating on LNG/CNG/electricity. LCVs registered outside Delhi other than EVs/ CNG/ BS-VI diesel are not permitted to enter the capital. The government will follow the running of vehicles on an odd-even basis of registration numbers, etc.
In addition, construction activities and demolition work for infrastructure projects, including roads, highways, flyovers, bridges, power lines and pipeline installations will remain suspended. Moreover, if pollution worsens, the government can announce the closure of colleges and educational institutions and suspend non-emergency commercial activities.
As per the norms, children, the elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases are advised to stay indoors. The governments of Delhi and the NCR states are required to conduct classes in schools for students, including those in higher grades (Class VI to IX and XI), in a "Hybrid" mode, which combines both physical and online learning (where online learning is feasible). The NCR state governments may also consider implementing this "Hybrid" mode of instruction for students in other areas of the NCR as well.
The Supreme Court had allowed the CAQM to relax the GRAP-4 restrictions to GRAP-2, considering the improved air quality levels in Delhi-NCR on December 5.
