The National Capital Region (NCR) is experiencing severe anti-pollution measures due to a surge in the Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing the “Severe+” category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reintroduced Stage-IV actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in response to rapidly deteriorating air quality conditions.
Delhi’s AQI reached 400 by 4 p.m., falling within the “Very Poor” range, and within four hours, it escalated to 428, nearing the critical 450 mark for “Severe+.” Officials attribute this spike to a combination of a western disturbance, unfavorable meteorological conditions, and poor pollutant dispersion.
The CAQM Sub-Committee unanimously decided to implement Stage-IV measures as a proactive measure to prevent further degradation. These measures, part of the GRAP framework, categorize air quality into stages ranging from Poor to Severe+, with specific restrictions and guidelines for each level.
Authorities have imposed stringent restrictions under Stage-IV, including a ban on non-BS-VI compliant vehicles entering Delhi and a halt on non-essential construction activities. Additionally, measures such as shifting certain school classes online, implementing work-from-home policies, and considering emergency actions like odd-even vehicle rationing are being enforced to mitigate the pollution crisis.
