GRAP-IV curbs return to Delhi as air quality turns ‘severe’: Here’s what’s allowed and what’s not

Here are the curbs

-As per the revised GRAP Stage IV, all classes, except grades X and XII, have to be mandatorily conducted in both physical and online modes, in Delhi and NCR districts of Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. However, according to the GRAP order, “the option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever applicable, shall vest with the students and their guardians.” Other NCR areas may also adopt this, depending on orders issued by the respective NCR state governments.

-While major construction and non-emergency activities are banned, projects for Railways, Delhi Metro, airports, interstate bus terminals, national security or defence-related activities, and hospitals or healthcare facilities will not be affected.

-Under Stage IV, the Commission has recommended the state governments consider additional emergency measures such as the closure of education institutions, invoking of the odd-even scheme, and allowing work from home for 50% of staff in public, municipal and private offices. Similarly, the Centre has to take a call on permitting work from home for its employees. Under GRAP Stage III, the Commission had recommended staggered timings for Central government offices in Delhi-NCR.

On Monday, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to 379 in the “very poor” category from Sunday’s AQI of 294 (poor), according to a Central Pollution Control Board bulletin due to extremely calm winds and cold wave conditions. Soon, CAQM imposed Stage III of GRAP.

However, as the AQI rose further, CAQM called for an emergency meeting and stepped up the restrictions further.

According to the air quality forecast system and the weather department, unfavourable meteorological conditions, including low wind speeds, will prevail in the coming days.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology Pune, has forecast the AQI to be in the “severe” category on Tuesday, after which the air quality is predicted to fluctuate between “very poor” and “poor”.

Earlier on December 5, the Commission had revoked Stage III and Stage IV of GRAP following the Supreme Court’s directions to consider relaxation of the curbs up to Stage II.

On Monday, cold wave conditions were observed in Aya Nagar (4 degrees Celsius) and Pusa (3.5 degrees Celsius), as per IMD. The minimum and maximum temperatures were 4.5 degrees Celsius (four notches below normal) and 24.5 degrees Celsius (1.5 notches above normal), respectively.

The transport sector remained the major contributor to air pollution as of December 12, according to the latest available data.