New Delhi:

The Delhi government on Monday directed government, private and civic body-run schools to conduct classes in “hybrid mode” – online and offline – with immediate effect, after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced relaxations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to mitigate educational disruptions caused by poor air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR).

All schools in the NCR had shifted to online lessons on October 18 amid a deterioration in the air quality in the area. On Monday, the Supreme Court had asked the CAQM to consider restarting physical classes in schools and colleges, noting many students lacked mid-day meals and infrastructure to attend online classes.

“Clause 11 of GRAP Stage-III, Clause 5 of GRAP Stage-IV and Clause 8 of GRAP Stage-IV (to the extent it relates to colleges, educational institutions) are relaxed to the extent that State Govts in the NCR and GNCTD shall ensure that all classes upto 12th Standard in schools and those in colleges/educational institutions are conducted in a ‘hybrid’ mode, i.e, both in ‘physical’ and also in an ‘online’ mode, wherever online mode is feasible, in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar in the NCR. The option to exercise online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians,” a notification issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE), Government of Delhi, said.

“Accordingly, all Heads of Schools of Govt, Govt. Aided, Unaided Recognized Private Schools of DoE, NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation), MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to ensure compliance of the above orders with immediate effect until further orders,” it added.

On Monday, the CAQM permitted educational institutions to operate classes in a “hybrid” format, allowing students to attend either in person or online. “All classes up to 12th standard in schools and those in colleges/educational institutions are to be conducted in a ‘Hybrid’ mode, i.e., both in ‘physical’ and ‘online’ mode, wherever online mode is feasible,” the CAQM announced.

The development came hours after the Supreme Court directed the CAQM to review GRAP restrictions in light of their impact on education. The court also emphasised the need to prioritise education while raising several concerns.

“A large number of students are being deprived of the facility of mid-day meals as schools and anganwadis are closed. A large number of students do not have the facilities to take advantage of online education. Many educational institutions do not have the facilities to provide online education,” the court said.

Additionally, the court observed, “The residences of many students do not have air purifiers, and therefore, there may not be any difference between children sitting at home and those attending school.”

The air quality remained alarming on Monday, with the Capital’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reading soaring to 349 from 318 the previous day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s 4pm bulletin.

New Delhi:

Delhi’s air quality plunged to ‘severe plus’ for the first time this year on Sunday night, forcing the government to implement Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) – an anti-pollution plan. The GRAP-4 will come into effect at 8 am Monday onwards.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 481 at 6 am. Of the 35 monitoring stations in the national capital, most recorded over 400 AQI, with Dwarka reporting the highest at 499.

A dense blanket of smog has gripped the national capital for the sixth consecutive day, with visibility plunging to 150 metres. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also issued an ‘orange’ alert for “dense fog” today.

Under GRAP 4, there is a ban on construction and demolition activities, including linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, and pipelines. 

Here is a list of major projects in Delhi that will be impacted due to GRAP-4 restrictions:

The work on making six underpasses and bypasses in Delhi will be delayed. These include three underpasses to make Mukarba Chowk and Haiderpur Metro Road jam-free. 

The underpass to go to the Ring Road from Bhairon Marg near Pragati Maidan has also been put on hold.

The work of Barapula Elevated Corridor Phase-3 in front of Mayur Vihar Phase-1, Yamuna Khadar, is also likely to be affected.

The construction of four new hospitals across the national capital will likely be delayed.

Restrictions under GRAP-4

Under the GRAP-4, a ban has been imposed on Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles. All trucks and light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the national capital, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services

Additionally, all schools have been shifted online, except for Classes 10 and 12. Public and private offices have also been asked to work at 50 per cent capacity and the rest have been recommended to work from home.

According to a government release, the state government may consider additional emergency measures such as the closure of non-emergency commercial activities, and permitting the running of vehicles on an odd-even basis of registration numbers.

New Delhi:

A thick layer of smog – a toxic blend of smoke and fog – enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) this morning as the air quality index (AQI) plummeted to the “severe-plus” category, forcing authorities to announce stricter pollution control measures.

Smog also affected visibility in the national capital which various airlines said could delay flight schedules. Visibility at Palam dropped to 150 metres at 7 am.

#6ETravelAdvisory: Fog is currently affecting visibility in Delhi, which may result in slow moving traffic and delays in flight schedules. We recommend allowing extra travel time and checking flight status before starting your journey https://t.co/rpnOvAOxQl. Safe travels!

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) November 17, 2024

Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog#FogAlert#DelhiAirportpic.twitter.com/QRx6v26Ral

— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) November 18, 2024

According to the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 481 at 6 am, the worst so far this season. Officials said it was due to “unfavourable” meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

The Centre’s air quality panel has invoked stricter pollution control measures for the Delhi-NCR under Stage 4 of the anti-pollution plan Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective from 8 am today. This is in addition to the preventive actions announced under Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 of GRAP already in force.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality: Stage 1 for “poor” air quality (AQI ranging from 201 to 300), Stage 2 for “very poor” air quality (AQI from 301 to 400), Stage 3 for “severe” air quality (AQI from 401 to 450), and Stage 4 for “severe-plus” air quality (AQI above 450).

The panel – Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) – has urged the public, particularly children, senior citizens and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases, to stay indoors.

GRAP 4 In Delhi As Air Quality Worsens

Under Grap 4, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones and those carrying essential items.

Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services.

In-person classes have been suspended for all except for students in classes 10 and 12.

All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines and other public projects, have been suspended.

Public and private offices in Delhi-NCR have been recommended to work at 50 per cent capacity, with the rest working from home. Work-from-home options may also be introduced for central government employees.

State governments could also close colleges, limit non-essential commercial activities and implement odd-even vehicle rules.

Around 38% of the pollution in the national capital this year has been caused by stubble burning or farm fires in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

Delhi grapples with smog each winter as cold air traps dust, emissions and smoke from illegal farm fires.