Delhi’s Air Quality Surges

• The Central panel tasked with improving air quality in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) has imposed stringent pollution curbs due to sharply rising pollution levels.

• The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has ordered Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to come into effect when the respective State governments issue orders to implement them.

• The order came as Delhi’s overall 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reading touched 401 (severe) at 10 p.m. on Monday.

• The CAQM also ordered schools to shift to hybrid mode of teaching, except for Classes 10 and 12, in the entire Delhi and four NCR districts.

• The panel also banned the entry of trucks into Delhi, except for those providing essential services.

• The panel recommended State and Central governments to consider extending work-from-home facilities to some of their employees.

• The panel also banned the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the Capital and the four adjoining districts, except those providing essential commodities or services.

• The CAQM has also announced that the respective governments should stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi and the neighbouring four districts.