The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday, November 5, invoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire NCR region, in addition to the actions under Stages I, II, and III, to combat deteriorating air quality. The comprehensive 8-point action plan is applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR.

CAQM invokes 8-point action plan as per Stage-IV of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.Kindly visit https://t.co/FiyvDbIEXa for details.

— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) November 5, 2023

"Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage IV of GRAP- "Severe+' Air Quality (Delhi's AQI> 450), today with immediate effect in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the preventive/restrictive actions mentioned under Stage-1, Stage-ll and Stage III of GRAP," CAQM said in a statement.

As per the Stage-lV action plan, the CAQM has put restrictions on truck traffic entry into Delhi, barring diesel-operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registered in Delhi (except for those carrying essential goods or services).

Furthermore, the plan allows for state governments to make crucial decisions, such as transitioning classes from VI to IX and class XI to an online mode, as well as regulating office operations to ensure that 50% of the workforce operates from home.

Additional emergency measures, such as potential closures of colleges, educational institutions, and non-essential commercial activities, may also be considered by state governments. Additionally, odd-even restrictions for vehicle registration numbers may be introduced as a further measure to mitigate pollution and enhance air quality.

Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage IV of revised GRAP in addition to all actions under Stagel, Stage-li Stage-ll of GRAP already in force, during this period, the statement added.