GRAP-4 restrictions: Schools shift to hybrid mode even as midnight rains lash Delhi-NCR
GRAP-4 restrictions were reimposed in Delhi afer on Wednesday evening, the AQI was recorded at 396 due to a sharply increasing trend of pollutant concentrations caused by unfavourable weather conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reimposed Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) in Delhi and the National Capital Region amid the increasing pollution levels in the region. Following this, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) on Wednesday directed all schools to conduct hybrid classes for students.
CREDIT: BCCL
Schools directed to conduct classes online
According to the DoE, classes, except for students in Class X and Class XII, should be held in hybrid mode until further notice.
"All heads of government, government-aided, unaided private schools under DoE, NDMC, MCD, and the Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct hybrid classes for students up to Class 9 and 11, wherever online learning is feasible, effective immediately until further notice," the DoE said.
GRAP-4 back in Delhi
GRAP-4 restrictions were reimposed in Delhi just three days after the CAQM revoked Stage III measures, citing improvement in air quality. However, on Wednesday evening, the AQI was recorded at 396 due to a sharply increasing trend of pollutant concentrations caused by unfavourable conditions.
CREDIT: BCCL
The Supreme Court, in its earlier directives, had emphasised, "If the AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage-IV measures will have to be reintroduced."
Restrictions under GRAP-4
Schools switching to hybrid mode is one of the many restrictions that have come into effect in Delhi NCR as part of GRAP-4.
Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities, the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and the mandatory shifting of school classes, except for Classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.
Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for essential services under Stage 4.
CREDIT: BCCL
Delhi receives widespread rains
The development comes even as Delhi received widespread rains on Wednesday night. The rains are expected to bring down the air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR temporarily, even as the thick blanket of fog continues to engulf the region.
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Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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