GRAP-IV in Delhi from tomorrow: Trucks' entry, operations of some vehicles banned

Stage IV of GRAP will be imposed on Monday after the air quality on Sunday breached the 'severe plus' mark.

In Short

• Government to take a call on running vehicles on 'odd and even' basis
• All construction activities to be banned in the national capital
• GRAP-IV restrictions to be imposed in Delhi as AQI hits 457

Anti-pollution restrictions under GRAP-IV will be imposed in Delhi, after the Air Quality Index breached the 'severe plus' mark at 457 at 7 pm on Sunday. The restrictions, now stricter than before, will come into force starting at 8 am on Monday, November 18.

The restrictions were announced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which also asked the Delhi government to take a call on running vehicles on an "odd and even" basis, and switching classes 6-9 and 11 to online mode. Primary schools were ordered to remain closed for primary classes in Delhi and were asked to operate online after Stage III of GRAP was imposed on Friday.

Under GRAP-IV, the entry of all trucks, except providing essential services, will be banned into Delhi. Besides, the running of registered BS-IV and below-diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, has also been banned.

All construction activities, even for projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, will be banned till the order is in effect.

The government will also take a call on allowing public and private offices to operate at 50% strength, allowing the rest to work from home. The central government will take the call for permission to work from home for employees in central government offices.

The CAQM has asked elderly, children and those with respiratory, cardiovascular or other chronic diseases to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible.

The government has urged citizens to use public transport as much as possible and carpool to work to avoid congestion on roads. Furthermore, the Delhi Metro is operating 60 additional trips amid deteriorating air quality to facilitate the use of public transport.

The air quality in Delhi has plunged even further in the last few days after it was recorded in the 'severe' category for the first time this season last Wednesday. All stations in Delhi recorded an AQI of over 400 on Sunday with Bawana (490), Ashok Vihar (487) and Wazirpur (483) appearing as the most polluted at the 7 pm mark.