The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR has imposed the Stage-lV (‘Severe+’ Air Quality) actions of the updated Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in addition to the Stage-I, II, and III actions that are already in effect to combat the rising pollution crisis in the national capital.
The national capital’s air quality index (AQI) was 441 (Severe) around 4 p.m. on Sunday, according to CAQM. The AQI recorded 447, 452, and 457 at 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 7 p.m. on Sunday, respectively, indicating that it has been steadily rising further and has now reached the Severe+ category.
Delhi’s air quality is categorized into four stages according to the National Capital Region’s (NCR) Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Stage I is “poor” (AQI 201-300); Stage II is “very poor” (AQI 301-400); Stage III is “severe” (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV is “severe plus” (AQI >450).
An eight-point action plan aimed at reducing the pollution situation is part of the Stage-IV response. The prohibition of non-essential truck traffic entering Delhi, with the exception of vehicles transporting necessities or rendering necessary services, is one of the main measures.
All students, with the exception of those in Classes 10 and 12, will no longer attend in-person classes as a result of the implementation of GRAP-4 tomorrow. Delhi CM Atishi tweets that all schools will offer online instruction until further notice.
