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New Delhi. The situation has become very frightening due to air pollution in the country's capital Delhi and surrounding areas. Despite all kinds of measures, the level of air pollution is continuously increasing. On Sunday evening, the AQI has crossed the level of 450 and reached the Severe Plus category. In some areas of the national capital, the AQI level has also crossed the figure of 480. Given this, it has now been decided to implement GRAP-4 in Delhi NCR. GRAP-4 will come into effect from 8 am on Monday (18 November 2024). Under this, many strict restrictions will be imposed.

The condition of air pollution in Delhi is becoming life-threatening. After the implementation of GRAP-3, instead of improving, the situation is continuously worsening. On Monday evening, AQI was recorded above 450 at 21 places in the national capital. In areas like Ashok Vihar, Anand Vihar, Bawana, and Dwarka, the Air Quality Index either crossed 480 or was recorded close to 480. Given this, it has now been decided to implement GRAP-4. After the implementation of GRAP-4, some more strict restrictions will be imposed. This will affect everything from schools to government offices. Along with this, many types of restrictions will also be imposed on the entry of vehicles into Delhi.

Status of AQI in major areas of Delhi

  • Bawana – 486
  • Ashok Vihar – 482
  • Dwaraka – 478
  • IGI Airport – 478
  • Anand Vihar – 473

8 action plans under GRAP-4

1. Ban on entry of trucks into Delhi. (Except those trucks carrying essential goods or providing essential services). All LNG/CNG/Electric/BS-VI diesel trucks will be allowed to enter Delhi.

2. LCVs registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter Delhi. EVs/CNG/BS-VI diesel vehicles will be allowed entry. Apart from this, vehicles providing essential goods or essential services will also be exempted.

3. There will be a strict ban on medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) running on diesel of BS-IV and above in Delhi. There will be a strict ban on medium and heavy goods vehicles running on diesel of BS-IV and above in Delhi. Vehicles carrying essential goods or essential services will be allowed to run.

4. Construction activities will remain banned. Under GRAP-III, construction and demolition (C&D) activities will remain banned. Along with this, public infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, telecommunications, etc. will also remain banned.

5. The decision to run classes from sixth to ninth and 11th in online mode can be taken by Delhi as well as the state governments of the areas falling in NCR. It has been said that physical classes will be banned.

6. Only 50% of the employees will be allowed to come to government offices. The rest of the employees will work in work-from-home mode. The governments of NCR and Delhi can decide that 50% of the employees in government, municipal, and private offices should come to the office and work. The rest should be instructed to work from home.

7. Permission to work from home in Central Government offices. The Central Government can make appropriate decisions on allowing work from home for its employees.

8. Additional emergency measures can also be considered by the state governments. State governments can also consider closing colleges and other educational institutions, shutting down non-emergency business activities, and implementing the odd-even system.