As Delhi's Air Quality Index continues to hover in ‘very poor’ category', some measures that are part of Stage 4 of Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) will be taken under Grap 3, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has said.
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Announcing the changes in Grap 3 measures, the CAQM cited Supreme Court's observation of November 19 where it asked the Commission to take proactive actions based on “consultation with stakeholders for preventing further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR.”
Which measures of Grap 4 are being taken under GRAP 3?
According to CAQM, following measures of Grap 4 will be brought under Grap 3:
- NCR state governments / GNCTD to take a decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home.
- Central Government may take appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees in central government offices.
On Saturday morning, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 360 as the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days. The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System has said the national capital's Delhi’s air quality is expected to slip into ‘severe’ and remain in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ zone for the next six days, driven by stagnant winds and winter inversion.
{{/usCountry}}On Saturday morning, Delhi recorded an overall AQI of 360 as the situation is likely to worsen in the coming days. The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System has said the national capital's Delhi’s air quality is expected to slip into ‘severe’ and remain in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ zone for the next six days, driven by stagnant winds and winter inversion.
{{/usCountry}}By 10am, the 24-hour rolling average air quality index (AQI) for Delhi was 361, categorised as “very poor” and approaching the “severe” band of pollution. This was marginally lower than the 24-hour average AQI of 364 on Friday evening.
Other restrictions in Delhi under Grap 3
As Grap 3 remains imposed in Delhi, restricting non-essential construction, demolition, and certain vehicular categories, including vehicles below the Bharat Stage (BS)-IV (emission standards) category, residents have been advised to reduce outdoor activity, especially in the early morning and late evening hours.
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The Delhi government also on Friday instructed all schools and other educational institutions not to conduct any sports or other outdoor physical activities.