365Telugu.com online news,November 20th,2024: Delhi continues to grapple with hazardous air quality as the Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the ‘severe’ category for the third consecutive day. On Wednesday, the average AQI in Delhi stood at 423, with Mundka being the most polluted area at 464, followed by Wazirpur and Alipur at 462.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that 50% of Delhi government employees would now work from home to address the crisis. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Rai stated that a meeting would be held with officials to finalize the implementation of this measure.
Visibility at the IGI Airport was recorded at just 800 meters in the early hours, with the India Meteorological Department predicting smog and shallow fog conditions for the day.
Emergency Measures Under GRAP IV
To combat the pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), effective since Monday. GRAP consists of a series of emergency protocols designed to curb further air quality deterioration.
Key Actions Under GRAP IV:
- Truck Restrictions:
- Ban on entry of trucks into Delhi except those carrying essential goods or providing critical services. Only LNG/CNG/Electric/BS-VI Diesel trucks are allowed.
- Ban on Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) from outside Delhi unless they are EVs, CNG, or BS-VI diesel.
- Vehicle Restrictions:
- Prohibition on plying of Delhi-registered BS-IV and below diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), except those carrying essential commodities.
- Construction Activities:
- Ban on all construction and demolition activities, including linear public projects like roads, flyovers, and pipelines, as outlined in GRAP Stage III.
- School Closures:
- Governments in Delhi-NCR may shift physical classes for students in Grades VI-IX and XI to online mode.
- Workforce Measures:
- Public, municipal, and private offices may operate at 50% capacity, with the rest of the workforce working remotely.
- Central government offices may also consider remote work for employees.
- Additional Measures:
- State governments may explore options like closing colleges and non-essential commercial activities or implementing the odd-even vehicle scheme based on registration numbers.
These measures aim to alleviate the severe pollution levels affecting Delhi-NCR and protect the health of its residents.