GRAP-4 in Delhi until further order: What is allowed and what is not

The air quality in and around Delhi NCR, which plummeted to hazardous levels in the past couple of days, continues to be toxic, leaving many residents gasping for breath. The average AQI across Delhi NCR was above the 500 mark (severe plus) even on Tuesday morning.

GRAP-4 to remain in Delhi

Earlier, on Monday, the Supreme Court had said that the Graded Response Action Plan Stage IV (GRAP-IV) should continue until further orders. According to the SC, GRAP-IV restrictions should remain in place even if the AQI of Delhi improves and falls below the 450 mark.

CREDIT: ANI

What is GRAP-IV

As per the GRAP, the CAQM issues various restrictions on activities and vehicle usage in Delhi NCR to tackle air pollution. Restrictions under Stages I and II are imposed when the air quality is poor. When the air quality becomes severe, Stage III and Stage IV restrictions are imposed.

Restrictions under GRAP-IV

GRAP-IV is imposed when the AQI crosses the 450 mark, and the restrictions include the movement of trucks into Delhi, permitting only vehicles transporting essential items, providing essential services, and those operating on LNG/CNG/electricity.

Under GRAP-IV, non-Delhi registered light commercial vehicles, except those running on EV/CNG/BS-VI diesel and carrying essential goods, are not allowed to enter the city.

CREDIT: BCCL

A ban on plying Delhi-registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi is also imposed, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.

Restrictions are imposed on Delhi-registered diesel vehicles (BS-IV and below) in both medium and heavy goods categories within city limits, allowing only those involved in essential services or goods transportation.

No construction activities in Delhi NCR

Suspension of construction and demolition work for infrastructure projects, including roads, highways, flyovers, bridges, power lines, and pipeline installations, is also mandated.

Construction and demolition activities are exempted under GRAP-III, including public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, and telecommunication, which are also banned under GRAP-IV.

Classes to go online

Under GRAP-IV, the NCR State Government and GNCTD can decide on discontinuing physical classes even for Classes VI-IX and Class XI, conducting lessons in an online mode.

CREDIT: BCCL

Work from home for offices

The NCR State Government and GNCTD can also decide on allowing public, municipal, and private offices to work at 50% strength, with the rest working from home.

The Central Government can decide on permitting work from home for employees in central government offices.

Governments can consider additional emergency measures like the closure of colleges/educational institutions, the closure of non-emergency commercial activities, and permitting the running of vehicles on an odd-even basis of registration numbers, etc.

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