Schools in Delhi-NCR should mandatorily opt for hybrid classes, instead of conducting them only online, when their air quality is poor; Entry of polluting inter-state buses banned when air is forecast to be ‘very bad’: These are the amendments made to Saturday’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM).
According to the CAQM order, certain target curbs previously in GRAP stages III (severe) and IV (severe+) have been included in stages II (‘very weak’) and III, tightening the control scheme.
On December 5, the Commission relaxed sanctions under GRAP III and IV; Phase II, however, remains in effect. “Grape Stage II has been implemented from 05.12.2024. The revised schedule of the second stage will come into effect immediately,” read the order.
The amendment follows the directions of the Supreme Court on December 5, asking the Commission to consider including some additional measures under GRAP Phase II-III.
What are the amendments?
– Under Phase II, inter-state buses from NCR states are not allowed to enter Delhi. It was earlier implemented under Phase III.
– Under Phase III, classes for students up to Class V must be conducted in hybrid mode for schools in Delhi and NCR districts. Under GRAP Phase IV, the same restriction will be applicable for senior classes except Class X and XII. Earlier, it was arranged that physical classes should be closed for junior classes in phase 3 and for senior classes in phase 4. The relaxation in hybrid mode was done through an amendment on November 25.
The Commission in its order said, “…the option to use online mode of education wherever available, shall rest with the students and their parents.”
– Similarly, the introduction of differential rates to encourage off-peak travel for public transport services will be effective in Phase II as opposed to Phase III.
– Resident welfare associations are also required to provide electric heaters to employees engaged in sanitation, gardening and other services to avoid open biomass burning. Earlier, this measure was limited to security personnel only.
– On November 25, the Commission exempted persons with disabilities from the ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and NCR under Phase III. It is now included in the official GRAP table.
– Now, under Stage III as opposed to Stage IV, Delhi-registered diesel-powered medium goods vehicles of BS IV or below – except for emergency purposes or essential services – also restrictions on driving diesel-powered goods of BS IV or below. Carriers registered outside Delhi will apply.
– Now under Phase II, schedule for regulated operation of DG sets in all NCR regions required to be followed – DG sets of 41 kW to 100 kW capacity must run in dual fuel mode or have retro-fit certified emission control devices. adopted DG sets of low capacity up to 19kW should run in dual fuel mode. Earlier, DG sets of 62 KW to 800 KW capacity had to adopt dual fuel mode or ECD.
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