The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 4 of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) in the national capital as the pollution level crosses over into the severe category.
With many places in Delhi and the NCR recording more than 400 Air Quality Index, Delhi Environment minister Gopal Rai called for a high-level meeting with the officers of his department and other stakeholders. The meeting will be held at noon on Friday.
Meanwhile, implementation of stage 4 of GRAP means:
1. Stop entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities and providing essential services and all CNG and electric trucks).
2. Ban on plying of Delhi registered diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGV) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services.
3. Ban on plying of 4-wheeler diesel LMVs (light motor vehicles) in the NCT of Delhi and districts of the NCR bordering Delhi, except BS-VI vehicles and vehicles used for essential and emergency services.
4. Close down all industries in the NCR, even in areas that do not have piped natural gas (PNG) infrastructure and supply but are still running on fuels, other than those listed on the Standard List of approved fuels for the NCR.
5. Ban C&D (construction and demolition) activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.
6. NCR State Governments and GNCTD to decide on allowing the public, municipal and private offices to work at 50 per cent strength and the rest to work from home.
7. The Central Government may take a decision on permitting work from home for central government officers.
8. State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like the closure of schools, colleges and educational institutions, closure of non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on an odd-even basis etc.
Further, citizens may be urged to adhere to the citizen charter and assist in the ineffective implementation of the GRAP measures aimed at sustaining and improving the air quality in the region.
Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases should avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible, he added.