Delhi Pollution: Air quality hits crisis point, 'severe' levels trigger GRAP Stage 3, classes up to Grade V shift online
Delhi's air quality remained "severe" for the third consecutive day, with the AQI hitting 409, prompting the activation of Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As part of the measures, classes for students up to Grade V will move online, and several restrictions on vehicles and construction activities have been imposed.
New Delhi's air quality remained 'severe' for the third day in a row on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching a critical level of 409, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In response, the city has implemented the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective from 8 a.m. this morning. Due to the escalating pollution levels, the Delhi government also announced that classes for students up to Grade V will shift to online learning, starting Friday and continuing until further notice.
Delhi AQI today: Severe
Delhi's air quality remained alarming on Friday, with 21 out of 39 monitoring stations reporting severe pollution levels.
Four areas¡ªJahangirpuri, Bawana, Wazirpur, and Rohini¡ªsuffered the worst air quality, with AQI readings of 458, 455, 455, and 452, respectively.
However, there was a slight improvement from Thursday¡¯s overall AQI of 432.
In response to the hazardous conditions, Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was activated on Friday, following an order from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The GRAP categorises air quality into four stages: Stage 1 for "poor" (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 for "very poor" (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 for "severe" (AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 for "severe plus" (AQI above 450).
Under Stage 3, several stringent measures are in place, including a ban on all interstate buses¡ªexcept electric, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles¡ªentering Delhi.
Credit: BCCL
Additionally, restrictions will be enforced on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and neighboring districts, such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. However, electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, and BS-VI diesel buses will continue to operate in the NCR.
Other measures include halting construction and demolition activities, suspending mining operations, daily water sprinkling on major roads, and the possibility of shifting young students to online classes.
The CAQM clarified that less polluting construction activities may proceed, provided strict compliance with the C&D Waste Management Rules.
To further mitigate the impact, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has added 20 extra trips on weekdays, on top of the 40 already operating since the previous GRAP stage was enforced.
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