The Commission for Air Quality Management on Thursday reimposed emergency measures under stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, in the National Capital Region, as the air quality in Delhi plummeted to the “very poor” category.
With this, classes in primary schools – till Class 5 – will transition into hybrid mode in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar, The Hindu reported. Parents and students have the option to choose between offline and online classes wherever available.
The GRAP is a set of incremental anti-pollution measures that are triggered to prevent the further worsening of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the country.
Stage 3 of the emergency measure includes a shutdown of all demolition work as well as mining and stone-crushing activities in the National Capital Region. It also mandates a ban on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles in Delhi and nearby areas. Persons with disabilities are however exempted from the restrictions on vehicles.
At 7.45 pm on Thursday, the average air quality index, or AQI, in Delhi stood at 377, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board.
An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality.
As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.
Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”. At these levels, healthy people can experience respiratory illnesses from prolonged exposure to air pollution.
The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated over the past few days due to calm winds and foggy conditions combined with vehicular emissions, paddy-straw burning and firecrackers, PTI reported.
The restrictions under GRAP 3 were last revoked in the capital on Sunday.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!