Schools in 'severely' polluted Delhi-NCR once again go hybrid as GRAP-IV curbs are reimposed

As part of the winter air pollution management measures, the Central Air Quality Panel for Delhi-NCR imposed Stage IV limitations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Dec 16.

This included a complete restriction on construction activity, spurred by the region's deteriorating air quality, which had fallen into the 'severe' category due to unfavorable weather conditions.

Stage IV limits were implemented mere hours after Stage III restrictions were imposed in the capital.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi rose from 379 at 4 pm to more than 400 by 10 pm, indicating additional deterioration.

Static wind patterns and the development of an inversion layer, which restricts vertical dispersion and retains pollutants close to the ground, were held accountable for this.

Following persistently high pollution levels in Delhi and the surrounding areas, GRAP Stage IV measures were put into effect for the first time this season in Nov.

On Dec 5, however, the Supreme Court permitted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax limits to Stage II due to the improving air quality in Dec.

Air quality in Delhi is divided into four phases under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a framework to address winter pollution: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).

Except for those transporting necessities or using cleaner fuels like LNG, CNG, electricity, or BS-VI diesel, trucks are not allowed to enter Delhi.

Except for providing necessary services or delivering necessities, Delhi prohibits the registration of BS-IV and older diesel heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

Roads, flyovers, electricity transmission lines, pipelines, communications infrastructure, and other linear public projects are now included in the Stage III prohibition on construction and demolition (C&D) operations.

For classes VI to IX and XI, schools in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar must implement hybrid learning, providing both online and offline choices.

Students and their parents make the decision to take classes online. Depending on viability, other NCR areas are urged to do the same.

In the NCR, 50% of public, municipal, and private workplaces must be located on-site; the remaining employees must work from home.

While state governments may also impose emergency measures like closing universities, limiting non-essential commercial activity, or implementing the odd-even vehicle plan for private cars, the central government has been encouraged to take into account remote work options for its workers.

These steps are intended to lessen the negative effects of Delhi's deteriorating wintertime air quality.

Earlier, due to a sharp deterioration in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reimposed the GRAP-III regulations across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

The decision was made on the afternoon of Dec 16 due to the capital's very unfavorable weather conditions, which significantly limited the dispersion of air pollution.

These conditions included low mixing heights and calm winds. At 2:30 pm on Dec 16, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was 366, placing it in the "very poor" category.