In order to curb ‘Severe+’ air pollution in the national capital region, the government of Delhi and the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) have now implemented stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), encompassing an eight-point action plan.
- The GRAP-4 restricts the entry of trucks into Delhi, save for the LNG/CNG trucks and vehicles engaged in emergency services.
- It also bans the use of Delhi-registered diesel Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs) till further notice, except those carrying essential commodities.
- Fifty per cent of the government staff has been ordered to work from home (WFH).
- The authorities in Delhi and NCR have been granted the power to decide to ban physical classes in grades 6, 9 and 11. In such circumstances, classes will be conducted online.
- Within the framework of GRAP Stage 4, state governments are authorised to consider executing additional crisis measures, such as suspending non-essential educational institutions and colleges, restricting commercial activities, and enforcing an odd-even rule for vehicles based on their registration numbers.
- The ban is applicable in Delhi, along with neighbouring cities, including Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad.
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A few days ago, the GRAP-3 was implemented, which bans all BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars and SUVs from entering the national capital region and from plying on the roads of Delhi until further notice, excluding emergency vehicles, police vehicles, and government vehicles. The govt has also banned all non-essential constructions in NCR. People who violate this order will be prosecuted under section 194 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, which provides a fine of Rs 20,000.
From the last few weeks, the pollution levels in Delhi have flown beyond the 600 mark, reaching hazardous levels, nudging authorities to take severe steps to mitigate the air quality crisis.
