New Delhi: The Center’s Air Quality Panel for Delhi-NCR on Monday called for restrictive measures under the third phase of the Air Pollution Control Scheme amid a sharp decline in air quality due to adverse weather conditions. Delhi’s AQI stood at 367 at 2 pm. Poor air quality, caused by adverse weather conditions, usually lasts from November to January.
“Considering the extreme adverse weather conditions including calm winds and very low mixing heights that push Delhi’s AQI to the high end of the Very Poor category, the Sub-Committee of the Panel on Graded Response Action Plan decides to implement Phase 3 of the revised GRAP schedule. (Continued on Friday) Entire in NCR, with immediate effect,” an official order said.
As per the revised scheme, schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar are required to mandatorily shift classes up to class five to hybrid mode under GRAP Phase III.
Students and parents will have the option to choose online education where available.
Stage 3 also includes a ban on non-essential diesel-powered medium goods vehicles of BS-IV or older standards within Delhi. Non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi are also not allowed to enter the city.
Earlier such ban was applicable only to BS-III vehicles.
Persons with disabilities have been exempted from restrictions imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar districts under Phase III.
Delhi and NCR state governments have also been directed to fix timings for public offices and municipal bodies under Phase III. The Center may decide on similar fixed timings for Central Government offices in Delhi-NCR.
During winters, Delhi frequently implements restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which classifies air quality into four stages – Stage I (Poor), AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage. AQI above 450 for stage III (severe) between 401 and 450, and stage IV (severe plus).