NEW DELHI: The Centre’s panel on Delhi-NCR air quality on Thursday revoked restrictions in stage 4 of the Phased Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid a drop in pollution levels, according to an official order. The restrictions were imposed on Wednesday as calm winds, low temperatures and foggy conditions allowed pollutants to build up in the region, with an air quality index of 396 last night.
Saif Ali Khan Health Update
Stage 4 restrictions include a ban on all construction activities, entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi and mandatory shifting of school classes, except classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.
Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while BS-IV heavy vehicles registered in Delhi and older diesel heavy vehicles are prohibited except for essential services in Stage 4.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions as per GRAP, which classifies air quality into four stages: Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450) and Stage 4 (Severe Plus, AQI greater than 450).
Unfavorable weather conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, rice straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, lead to dangerous levels of air quality in Delhi-NCR during winters.