Grape-4 in Delhi-NCR from today: Restrictions imposed amid double whammy of fog and pollution, know which things are banned

Air pollution has reached dangerous levels in the capital. In such a situation, the fourth phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has come into effect from today. It came into effect from 8 am. Seeing the increasing air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken this decision. In such a situation, there is a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles. However, trucks carrying essential goods will be allowed entry.

On the other hand, instructions have been issued to work from home for 50 percent of the employees in government and private offices. Also, the governments of Delhi and NCR states have recommended that students study online from class VI to 12th.

On the other hand, given Delhi's increasing pollution level, the Delhi government has decided to run classes VI to XI online. Classes 10th and 12th will run as before. Online courses will continue until further orders.

The entry of trucks into Delhi has been completely banned. However, only trucks carrying essential goods and LNG, CNG, and electric trucks will be allowed to come. Also, under GRAP-4, the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into Delhi will be banned. During this time, only CNG, electric, and BS-6 vehicles from other states around Delhi will be allowed entry.

Air pollution has reached the threshold of the very severe category. As per the weather department forecast, the Air Quality Index (AQI) may remain in the very severe category in the coming days. AQI above 450 is considered very severe and when this happens, the fourth phase of GRAP is implemented. In this, entry of trucks into Delhi is banned, only CNG vehicles supplying essential goods are allowed entry. There is a ban on light and heavy goods carriers of diesel in Delhi.

This ban will remain.

- All trucks coming from outside Delhi will be banned from entering. However, CNG and electric trucks carrying essential goods are exempted from the ban.

- Ban on medium and heavy diesel-powered goods vehicles registered in Delhi. Vehicles carrying essential goods will be exempted.

- Diesel-powered four-wheelers will be banned in NCT Delhi and NCR. However, emergency vehicles are exempted. Only BS-6 vehicles can run in this category.

- Restrictions on industries in NCR. Where there is no facility of PNG fuel and fuel outside the list authorized by the government is being used, then there will be a ban. However, industries related to milk and dairy products and medical equipment will be exempted.

- Ban on construction and demolition activities. Apart from this, ban on other activities including flyovers, highways, bridges, and pipelines. The central government can allow central employees to work from home.

- NCR state governments can allow working from home with 50 percent capacity in public, corporation, and private offices.

- State governments can close schools and colleges and close non-emergency commercial activities.

- State government may implement an odd-even scheme

- Ban on diesel generator sets

Air quality index standards

AQI is considered 'good' between 0-50, 'satisfactory' between 51-100, 'moderate' between 101-200, 'poor' between 201-300, 'very poor' between 301-400 and 'severe' between 401-500.

Classes from 6th to 11th will run online in Delhi.

Given the increasing pollution level in Delhi, the Delhi government has decided to run classes from 6th to 11th online. Under the decision, classes 10th and 12th will run as before. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi wrote on social media that restrictions on Grape 4 have come into force in Delhi. Given this, online classes will run from Tuesday till class 11th. Students of classes 10th and 12th will remain out of online classes. They will be taught as before. Online classes will continue till further orders.