Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) has clocked 371 on 3 January 2025 as per the Daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In wake of the deteriorating air quality, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas convened a meeting decided to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of revised GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR, in addition to the actions under Stages I & II of revised GRAP already in-force in NCR, the CAQM stated in a press release.
The 9-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC are:
- Construction & Demolition activities:
(i) Enforce strict restrictions on the following categories of dust generating/ air pollution causing C&D activities in the entire NCR such as excavation, all demolition works, laying of water line, masonry works, road construction, tiles cutting, etc.
(ii) Less polluting / less dust generating construct activities to be permitted to be continued in the NCR, subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time.
(iii) All C&D related activities including Railway, Metro, Airport, Defence, hospital, etc, projects of national importance to be permitted subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time.
- Close down operations of stone crushers in the entire NCR.
- Close down all mining and associated activities in the entire NCR.
- NCR State Govts. / GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
- GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi – registered Diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) to BS-IV standards or below, in Delhi, except those vehicles carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
- GNCTD to not permit BS-IV and below diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers) registered outside Delhi, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
(i) State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD to mandatorily conduct classes in schools for children up to class V in a “Hybrid” mode i.e., 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.
(ii) The NCR State Governments may also consider conducting classes for students up to Class V in a “Hybrid” mode as above in other areas in NCR.
Note: The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians.
- (i) GNCTD and NCR State Governments to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
(ii) State Governments may take a decision to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in other areas of NCR.
- Central Government may take a decision on staggering of timings of Central Government offices in Delhi – NCR.
Further, CAQM urged the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. In addition to steps under Citizen Charter of Stages I & II, citizens are advised to:
– Walk or use cycles for small distances.
– Choose a cleaner commute. Share a ride to work or use public transport.
– People, whose positions allow working from home, may work from home.
– Do not use coal and wood for heating purpose.
– Individual house owners may also provide electric heaters to security/ other staff employed by them to avoid open burning of bio-mass/ wood/ MSW.
– Combine errands and reduce trips.
