The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Delhi-NCR air quality has issued a revised plan to tackle winter pollution, asking states to implement stricter measures when the air quality deteriorates and making it mandatory for schools to shift to hybrid learning on days with severe air pollution.
“The Chief Secretaries of Delhi and NCR shall frequently review the actions and implementation of the GRAP especially when the air quality falls or is likely to fall in the ‘Severe’ or ‘Severe +’ category (Stage III and beyond). The Commission may decide upon any exceptions and additional measures to the schedule of the GRAP, under different air pollution categories i.e., Stages I to IV, as per the prevalent AQI and weather forecast,” read the advisory. During the first stage, Discoms are advised to minimise power supply interruptions in NCR.
According to CAQM, the total number of days with ‘Good to Moderate’ air quality in 2024 is 207 so far, which is the highest since 2018 (barring 2020 , the COVID Year). The record highest number, six days with ‘Moderate’ AQI in 2024, as against only one day each in 2018 ,2019 and 2020; ‘0’ days in 2021 & 2023; and ‘2’ in 2022 . On the other hand, the number of days with ‘Poor to Severe’ AQI in December are also the lowest in the current year since 2018 i.e. only eight . A lowest avg AQI of 234 for the month of December (till 14th) has also been recorded in the current year 2024, since 2018, when the AQI has generally been in the range of ‘300-400’ i.e Very Poor,” it said.
Poor air quality, driven by unfavourable weather conditions, usually persists for long periods during winter, from November to January. During this time, Delhi frequently enforces restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorises air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor) with AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450.
During the second stage, the advisory asked for mechanical/ vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads on a daily basis. Enhance the number of shifts / hours of deployment of such machines to further intensify mechanised sweeping. People are advised to use public transport and minimise use of personal vehicles and use technology, take less congested routes, even if slightly longer.
According to the revised plan, inter-state buses from NCR states, except those EVs and those running CNG or BS-VI diesel, will not be allowed to enter Delhi under Stage II. This provision earlier came into effect under Stage III. Resident welfare associations will also be required to provide electric heaters to staff involved in sanitation, gardening, and other services, in addition to security staff, to prevent open burning of biomass or solid waste during winters.
“Do not idle your vehicle, also turn off the engine at red lights. Prefer hybrid vehicles or EVs to control vehicular pollution. Keep the engines of your vehicles properly tuned. Do not drive/ply end of life/ 10/15 years old Diesel/Petrol vehicles,” it said. Persons with disabilities are exempt from restrictions imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar under Stage III.
The Delhi government has been directed to ban diesel medium goods vehicles (MGVs) with BS-IV or older standards, except those carrying essential goods or services, within the city under Stage III. Similarly, non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles (LCVs) of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi, will not be allowed to enter the city. Previously, such restrictions applied only to BS-III vehicles.
It advised people to walk, or use cycles, for small distances during the stage III and choose a cleaner commute. “Share a ride to work or use public transport. People, whose positions allow working from home, may work from home,” it said. The panel has also mandated that schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar shift classes up to Class V to hybrid mode (both online and offline) under Stage III. Students and parents will have the option to choose online education wherever it is available.
Under Stage IV, which is invoked when the AQI crosses the 450 mark, schools in Delhi and NCR districts will be required to conduct classes for students from Class VI to IX and XI in the hybrid mode. The Delhi and NCR State Governments have also been directed to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies under Stage III. The Centre may decide on similar staggered timings for central government offices in Delhi-NCR.
