The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the reimposition of GRAP-III (Grap 3) measures across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday. The decision follows “highly unfavourable meteorological conditions, including calm winds and very low mixing height”, which have exacerbated air pollution in the region.
Under GRAP-III, several stringent measures are being implemented to curb rising pollution levels:
Hybrid Class Mode for Schools: All schools in Delhi-NCR must adopt a hybrid class system for students up to Class V. This mode allows parents and students to choose between online and in-person classes based on available infrastructure, such as computers and internet access at home.
Restriction on Diesel-Powered Commercial Vehicles: Goods vehicles with engines below the BS-IV certification are prohibited from operating, except those used for emergency or essential services. Additionally, goods carriers with sub-BS-IV engines registered outside the national capital are barred from entering Delhi until further notice.
Staggered Working Hours for Government Offices: Government offices in Delhi and neighbouring states will stagger working hours to reduce traffic emissions. The central government is also expected to implement similar measures for its offices in the capital.
Why Grap 3 in Delhi was reintroduced?
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 366 at 2:30 pm on Monday, classified as “very poor” and nearing the “severe” category. This marks a significant spike from an AQI of 233 a week earlier on December 7, which was rated as “moderate.” Just three days before that, the AQI was 211, reflecting the rapid deterioration in air quality.
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Last month, Delhi’s air quality consistently hovered in the “severe” and “very poor” categories, prompting public health warnings and legal actions. However, temporary improvement in early December led the Supreme Court to allow the relaxation of measures under GRAP-IV, the most stringent level of the four-stage Graded Response Action Plan.
Supreme Court’s Role in Tackling Pollution
The worsening pollution levels have once again drawn the attention of the Supreme Court. Over recent weeks, a bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih has held multiple hearings on Delhi’s annual air quality crisis. Key issues examined include:
Farm Fires: The court has scrutinized the continued practice of stubble burning by farmers and its contribution to seasonal spikes in pollution.
Non-Compliance with GRAP-IV: Authorities faced criticism for allowing non-essential construction activities and failing to restrict non-essential goods vehicles, even when GRAP-IV was in effect.
AQI Thresholds: The court questioned why stricter anti-pollution measures were not enforced promptly when AQI levels crossed the 300-mark.
Following the annual post-Diwali spike in pollution, the court expressed frustration at the violation of the firecracker ban. The bench highlighted that “no religion encourages any activity which creates pollution,” rebuking the government and police for inadequate enforcement of the ban.
