The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR's air quality on Wednesday invokedꦆ curbs unde𝔍r stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a sharp rise in pollution due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, according to an official order.
The air quality in Delhi deteriorated sharply amid calm winds, smoggy situation an🉐d low mixing height with the 24-average AQI rising to 365 at 4 pm, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement curbs under stage 3 of GRAP.
GRAP Stage 3 entails a ban o♋n non-essential constꦦruction work.
Classes up to grade 5 are required to shift to hybri🍨d mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever av🍌ailable.
Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol an🎉d BS-IV diesel൲ cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt. Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, wh𒐪ich categorizes air quality into four stages – 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).
Unfavou🐓rable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
