Delhi-NCR implements GRAP stage 4 to curb air pollution; bans BS-4 diesel vehicles, shuts industries

New Delhi:The Air Quality in Delhi NCR is deteriorating with each passing day. Delhi's Air Quality has dipped to 'severe category', with an overall AQI of 408 recorded at 7 am on November 3. Amid the worsening Air Quality in the city, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held an emergency meeting today. The CAQM directed the authorities to enact Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes a ban on entry of truck traffic( except for trucks carrying essential commodities), Medium and heavy goods diesel vehicles and closing down of all industries in Delhi NCR. In the meeting, the CAQM sub-committee "comprehensively reviewed the air quality scenario in the region and noted that the air quality parameters are likely in next few days in the region making it to move into the 'Severe Plus' (AQI >450) category.

The CAQM earlier on Oct 29 imposed the Stage 3 of GRAP. 

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Under Stage 4 of GRAP, following restrictions have been imposed:

1. Ban on entry of diesel trucks other than essential goods in the capital, CNG and electric trucks will be able to run Medium and big vehicles will not be able to run even inside the capital, only vehicles related to essential goods will be exempted. 

2. Ban on BS-4 diesel vehicles in Delhi NCR.

3. Ban on industries which are not running on clean fuel, exemption for emergency industries like milk, dairy, medicines and medical goods.

4. There is also a ban on the construction of major projects like highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission and pipelines.

5. In government and private offices, 50 percent staff will work from home (depending on the state government).

6. The state government can take decisions like running schools, colleges, educational institutes, vehicles on odd-even.

7. Use of diesel generators is also not allowed except for essential services related to national security, defence-related activities, projects of national importance, telecommunication, data services, medical, railway and metro rail services, airports, inter-state bus terminals, sewage treatment plants, and water pumping stations.

To prevent further deterioration of air quality due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, the GRAP Sub-Committee decides to invoke Stage IV - ‘Severe+’ GRAP category in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
Contd. (1/3) — Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) November 3, 2022

These restrictions are in addition to the restrictive actions mentioned in Stage I, Stage II and Stage III of GRAP. Stage IV – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality to primarily focus on vehicle restrictions including entry of commercial trucks into Delhi, diesel commercial vehicles for intra-Delhi movements and non—BS VI passenger vans, LMVs in Delhi. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions of Stage IV under GRAP during this period.

Further, the CAQM appeals to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. It advised "Children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible."

According to GRAP, air quality in Delhi-NCR is classified under four different stages: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI >450).