Air monitor revises pollution control curbs for Delhi-NCR. Here’s what has changed

On December 5, the Commission relaxed restrictions under GRAP III and IV; Stage II, however, remains in effect. “GRAP Stage II has been invoked w.e.f. 05.12.2024. The revised schedule under Stage II… shall immediately come into force,” read the order.

The revision follows the Supreme Court’s directions on December 5, asking the Commission to consider incorporating certain additional measures under GRAP Stage II-III.

What are the revisions?

– Under Stage II, inter-state buses from NCR states don’t have permits to enter Delhi. This earlier came into effect under Stage III.

– Under Stage III, classes for students up to Class V are to be mandatorily conducted in a hybrid mode for schools in Delhi and NCR districts. A similar restriction will come into effect for senior classes, except for Class X and XII, under GRAP Stage IV. Earlier, discontinuation of physical classes was made mandatory for junior classes in Stage III and senior classes in Stage IV. The relaxation to hybrid mode was made via an amendment on November 25.

The Commission stated in its order, “… The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with students and their guardians.”

– Similarly, the introduction of differential rates to encourage off-peak travel for public transport services will be in effect in Stage II, as opposed to Stage III.

– Residents’ Welfare Associations also need to provide electric heaters to staff engaged in sanitation, horticulture and other services to avoid open biomass burning. Previously, this measure was limited only to security staff.

– On November 25, the Commission made an exemption for persons with disabilities from restrictions imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and NCR under Stage III. This has now been included in the official GRAP schedule.

– Now, under Stage III as opposed to Stage IV, vehicular restrictions on plying Delhi-registered diesel-operated medium goods vehicles to BS IV or below — except for emergency purposes or essential services — as well as BS IV or below diesel-operated goods carriers registered outside Delhi will come into effect.

– Under Stage II now, the schedule for regulated operations of DG sets across all NCR sectors needs to be followed — DG sets with a capacity of 41 kW to 100 kW should run in dual fuel mode or retro-fitted certified emission control devices should be adopted. A DG set with a lower capacity till 19kW should run on dual fuel mode. Earlier, the DG set of capacity range 62kW to 800kW was mandated to adopt dual fuel mode or ECDs.