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New Delhi:

With dense fog enveloping Delhi and the air quality index hovering dangerously close to the ‘severe’ category, the Centre’s anti-pollution panel, the Commission for Air Quality Management, has reimposed stricter pollution curbs in the capital and surrounding areas, including the National Capital Region, under GRAP-3 and GRAP-4.

Curbs under GRAP-3 were revoked only on Sunday and the measures under GRAP-4 have not been imposed since December 24. 

In its order, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noted that the AQI in Delhi, which was at 275 on Wednesday, rose sharply to 386 on Thursday because of dense foggy conditions and low temperatures leading to “extremely low mixing height and ventilation coefficient for dispersion of pollutants”.

It noted that the AQI had climbed to 396 at 6 pm and was likely to breach the 400 mark.

“Accordingly, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of the air quality and in pursuance of the Hon’ble Supreme Court’s directives, the Sub Committee on GRAP hereby decides to straightway invoke ALL actions under Stage-III (‘Severe’ Air Quality of Delhi) & also Stage-IV (‘Severe+’ Air Quality of Delhi) of extant Schedule of GRAP, with immediate effect in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in Delhi-NCR, in addition to the Stage-I and II actions already in force,” the CAQM said in its order. 

The Supreme Court had earlier directed that GRAP Stage 3 measures must be implemented if the AQI exceeds 350 and Stage 4 measures reintroduced if it crosses 400.

What’s allowed and what’s not:

• The use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) will be restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts.
• Classes in schools, with a possible exception for students of Classes 10 and 12, will have to mandatorily be shifted to hybrid mode – “both in physical and 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”.
• NCR state governments/Delhi government will decide whether to permit 50% of employees in government, municipal, and private offices to work from home.
• The central government has the authority to decide whether to allow its employees to work from home.
• Entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/providing essential services) is banned. All LNG/CNG /Electric/BS-VI Diesel trucks shall, however, be permitted to enter Delhi.
• Light Commercial Vehicles registered outside Delhi, other than EVs/CNG/BS-VI diesel, can’t enter the capital, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
• Delhi-registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles will be prohibited from operating, except for those carrying essential services.
• State governments may consider additional emergency measures like closing colleges and other educational institutions and stopping non-emergency commercial activities, restrictions on running of vehicles, and the odd-even rule for cars.

Residents of Delhi and surrounding areas woke up to dense fog on Wednesday, leading to six flights being diverted, more than 300 flights being delayed and departures being briefly put on hold early in the morning at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. 

Several trains were running late and road traffic also slowed down in Delhi and nearby cities due to the reduced visibility. 

Both daytime and night-time temperatures in Delhi have also plummeted, contributing to the worsening AQI.