Delhi Air Quality 'Very Poor' Due To Calm Winds: CAQM Enforces GRAP 3 Restrictions, Allows Hybrid Model For Classes Up To 5

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has immediately put into effect the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage III across the National Capital Region (NCR) in response to the distressing levels of air quality.

At 2 pm, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 367. The AQI scale defines 'good' air quality as a score between zero and 50, 'satisfactory' as 51 to 100, 'moderate' as 101 to 200, 'poor' as 201 to 300, 'very poor' as 301 to 400, and 'severe' as 401 to 500.

The CAQM issued an official statement, stating that due to unfavorable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and very low mixing heights, Delhi's AQI has been pushed to the higher end of the 'very poor' category.

As a result, the CAQM's Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to enforce Stage III of the revised GRAP schedule, issued on 13 December across the NCR. In this new phase, numerous limitations have been implemented to tackle the worsening condition of air quality:

2. Goods carriers powered by BS IV or lower diesel and registered outside of Delhi are not permitted to enter the city.

3. Instruction for students up to the fifth grade will be carried out in a hybrid learning format.

4. A suspension has been placed on construction and demolition activities that generate dust, however, there are exceptions for projects associated with highways, roads, flyovers, railways, defense, and hospitals.