The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi crossed the ‘Severe Plus’ level on Sunday, following which CAQM announced that it will implement new GRAP-IV rules from Monday to curb pollution. Which will come into force from 8 in the morning. According to which entry of trucks in Delhi will be prohibited. However, all LNG, CNG, electric and BS-6 diesel trucks providing essential services will be allowed entry. Furthermore, a call has been made to all schools to move classes online from Monday.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced pollution control standards. He has also appealed to the Delhi government to implement the ‘odd-even’ rule for vehicles and conduct classes for classes 6 to 9 and 11 in online mode. Apart from entry of trucks and movement of BS-IV vehicles on roads, many restrictions will be imposed under GRAP-IV.
Schools will go online
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said that with the implementation of GRAP-4 from Monday, physical classes have been suspended for all students except classes 10 and 12 and all schools will conduct online classes until further order .
Will employees work from home?
CAQM has not ordered all employees to work from home, but has advised the Delhi government to allow 50% of employees in government, municipal and private offices to work from the office and the rest from home. The Central Government has also been asked to allow central employees to work from home.
It is also recommended to close the university
Under GRAP-IV, CAQM has recommended conducting online classes for students of classes 6 to 11. Under GRAP-III, classes for students up to class 5 are already being conducted in online mode. Apart from this, universities have also been recommended to be closed. However, CAQM has not ordered employees to work from home. But it has suggested to the Delhi government that the government, municipal corporations and private offices should be allowed to work at 50 per cent capacity and the rest should be allowed to work from home. The Center has also been asked to allow central government employees to work from home.
Is the entry of what type of vehicles restricted?
After the implementation of GRAP-IV, the entry of trucks from other states into Delhi will be closed, except for CNG and electric trucks and trucks carrying essential commodities. Entry of light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi is also prohibited.
Under GRAP-IV, medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy duty vehicles (HGVs) powered by BS-IV and sub-standard diesel have been banned.
According to the order, no trucks will be allowed to enter Delhi except those carrying essential commodities or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). There will also be a ban on non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except electric, CNG and BS-VI diesel vehicles.
Ban on all construction work in Delhi
All types of construction works in the capital region, including ongoing projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission, pipelines, telecom, etc., will be prohibited under GRAP-IV.
Delhi AQI reached 452
According to data provided by IMD/IITM during the meeting, Delhi’s average AQI was recorded at 441 in the very poor category at 4 pm on Sunday, which rose to 452 in the severe plus category at 7 pm. After this, the CAQM called an emergency meeting and recommended implementing the GRAP-IV restrictions.
