The Air Quality Management Commission has reimposed GRAP-III restrictions across the entire National Capital Region amid “extreme adverse meteorological conditions”, the Centre’s pollution watchdog said on Monday. CAQM, responsible for protecting and improving air quality in NCR and surrounding areas, on December 13 presented a revised plan to tackle winter pollution.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures implemented in Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution based on the severity of air quality. Delhi is struggling with air pollution, as the air quality index remains in the ‘very poor’ category, posing significant health risks to residents. Air quality is not expected to improve soon.
CAQM said, “Considering the extremely adverse meteorological conditions including calm winds and very low mixing heights, which have led to Delhi’s AQI reaching the very high level of very poor category, the CAQM sub-committee on GRAP has recommended a revised GRAP schedule. It has been decided to implement Phase-III in the entire NCR with immediate effect on 13.12.2024.”
Under the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), strict measures have been introduced to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar will shift to hybrid classes for students up to Class V during Phase III, allowing parents and students to opt for online learning where available.
