Due to the worsening pollution situation in Delhi, GRAP-4 will now come into force from today i.e. Monday. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced the implementation of Phase-IV ('Severe+' air quality) of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in addition to the already implemented Phase-I, II and III actions in Delhi-NCR from 8 am on November 18, 2024.

What will be the effect of GRAP -4

• Under the fourth phase of GRAP, diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV or below) registered in Delhi will be banned; vehicles carrying essential commodities will be exempted.
• No trucks will be allowed to enter Delhi except those carrying essential commodities or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric).
• According to the order, light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, and BS-VI diesel vehicles, will also be covered under the ban.
• State governments may also decide to close colleges, limit non-essential business activities, and impose odd-even rules for vehicles.
• The option of working from home may be offered to central government employees.
• It also recommended that offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) should function at 50 percent capacity, while the rest of the employees should work from home.
• CAQM has suggested holding online classes for classes 6 to 9 and class 11 students.
• There will be a temporary halt on all construction activities including highways, roads, flyovers, and other public projects.

Delhi is the second most polluted city in the country.

The air quality of the national capital deteriorated further on Sunday with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 441, making Delhi the second most polluted city in the country. The national capital's AQI was recorded at 441 at 4 pm, which falls in the 'severe' category. On Saturday, the AQI was 417. According to data from 32 stations shared by the CPCB, out of 40 monitoring stations in Delhi, 32 stations recorded air quality in the 'severe category', with the AQI level above 400.