The Delhi-NCR is facing a severe public health crisis as air pollution levels skyrocket, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching alarming figures close to 600 across major urban centers. Cities including Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, and Noida are enveloped in hazardous smog, prompting the immediate enforcement of GRAP Stage 4, the most stringent tier of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), GRAP Stage 4 imposes the harshest restrictions to mitigate pollution during emergency conditions. These measures are in addition to all protocols from Stages 1, 2, and 3. The trucking sector faces a significant ban on entry into Delhi, with exemptions only for vehicles carrying essential supplies or those that are CNG, LNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric-powered. Construction activities at all government and public project sites are suspended. Furthermore, non-essential commercial vehicles from outside the NCR are prohibited, except for CNG and BS-VI diesel vehicles. To combat vehicular emissions, a 50% work-from-home policy is now mandated for employees in both government and private establishments.
The GRAP framework is designed to progressively restrict activities as air quality declines. Stage 1 initiates basic measures for ‘Poor’ AQI. Stage 2 imposes stricter rules for ‘Very Poor’ air, including generator set bans. Stage 3 targets ‘Severe’ AQI (401+) with bans on older diesel vehicles and non-essential construction. GRAP Stage 4 is enacted at ‘Severe Plus’ AQI (450+) and above, implementing the most extreme measures. Given the severe health implications, the public is strongly advised to limit outdoor exposure, use N95 masks, and adhere strictly to health advisories issued by authorities.