GRAP-3 restrictions return in Delhi-NCR; schools shift to hybrid mode for classes up to 5
PTC Web Desk: GRAP-III measures have been reintroduced across Delhi and the National Capital Region due to "extremely unfavourable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and a very low mixing height," the Commission for Air Quality Management announced on Monday.
As part of these restrictions, schools in the Delhi-NCR region are required to adopt a hybrid mode of education for students up to Class V, and the entry of diesel-powered commercial vehicles will be limited.
Goods vehicles equipped with engines below the BS-IV certification standard are now prohibited from operating in Delhi, except those designated for emergency services or the transportation of essential goods. Additionally, goods carriers with engines below the BS-IV standard, registered outside Delhi, are barred from entering the city until further notice.
The decision comes as Delhi's air quality continues to deteriorate. Notably, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 366 at 2.30 pm on Monday, placing it firmly in the 'very poor' category. This marks a significant rise from December 7, when the AQI was 233, classified as 'moderate.' Just three days before that, on December 4, the AQI stood at 211, indicating a gradual decline in air quality over the past week.
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Earlier this month, improved air quality allowed the Supreme Court to direct the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax measures under GRAP-IV, the most stringent level of the Graded Response Action Plan designed to address severe air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). However, the recent spike in pollution levels has necessitated the reimplementation of stricter GRAP-III measures.
Last month, Delhi and its surrounding regions faced consistently hazardous air quality, with AQI readings oscillating between the 'severe' and 'very poor' categories. This prompted health advisories from medical experts cautioning residents about potential health risks. Furthermore, the worsening pollution levels led to an influx of petitions in the Supreme Court, urging government intervention to mitigate the crisis.
- With inputs from agencies
