Delhi takes stringent measures to combat soaring pollution levels, bans truck entry and construction activities

New Delhi, November 05: In response to persistently 'severe plus' air quality conditions for the fourth consecutive day in the national capital and its adjacent regions, the Central Government has activated stage-IV measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of measures devised by the Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to address air pollution in the region.

Stage IV of the GRAP represents the highest level of pollution alert and is initiated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains over 450 or falls into the 'severe plus' category.

Under the eight-point Stage IV measures:

1. The entry of trucks into Delhi is prohibited, with exceptions for those transporting essential commodities or providing essential services, as well as LNG/CNG/electric trucks.
2. Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi, except for Electric Vehicles, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles, are restricted from entering Delhi, unless they are carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.
3. All construction and demolition activities in Delhi have been banned, including public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, and more.
4. The Delhi government will make decisions regarding the operation of public, municipal, and private offices. It may allow some offices to operate at 50% capacity, while others may continue work from home. The Central Government will also decide on allowing employees in Central Government offices to work from home.
5. The Delhi government may opt to discontinue in-person classes for students in classes six to nine and eleven.

- With inputs from agencies

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