New Delhi: As Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) as provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) continues to deteriorate due to unfavourable meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) met on Sunday.
Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee has decide to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR.
This is in addition to the preventive/ restrictive actions mentioned under Stage-I, Stage-II and Stage-III of GRAP. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-IV of revised GRAP in addition to all actions under Stage-I, Stage-II Stage-III of GRAP already in force, during this period.
An 8-point action plan as per Stage-IV of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR. This 8-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC. These steps are:
1. Stop entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services and all LNG/ CNG/ electric trucks).
2. Do not permit LCVs registered outside Delhi, other than EVs/ CNG/ BS-VI diesel, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
3. Ban on plying of Delhi - registered diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/ providing essential services.
4. Ban C&D activities also in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines etc.
5. NCR State Govts. and GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI – IX, class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode.
6. NCR State Governments/ GNCTD to take a decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home.
7. Central Government may take appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees in Central Government offices.
8. State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges/ educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting running of vehicles on odd-even basis of registration numbers etc.
Further, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) appeals to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP.
Children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases are advised to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible.
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