Delhi-NCR witnessed a return of the strictest anti-pollution curbs on Saturday as Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was reimposed, with the Capital’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 400, placing it firmly in the ‘Very Poor’ category and on the brink of turning ‘Severe’. This marked a sharp deterioration from Friday, when Delhi recorded an AQI of 354 and GRAP-III measures were in place. Pollution levels also worsened across the region, with Noida recording an AQI of 388, up from 363 a day earlier, and Gurugram logging 360 compared to 347 on Friday.
According to a senior official of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Delhi’s AQI showed a steep upward trend through the evening, rising from 400 at 4 pm to 428 by 8 pm. The spike was attributed to a western disturbance, highly unfavourable weather and meteorological conditions, and poor dispersion of pollutants.
Under GRAP-IV restrictions, schools in Delhi and NCR districts including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar are operating in a hybrid mode, combining physical and online classes for students up to Class IX and XI wherever online teaching is feasible. Offices across Delhi, including government, municipal and private establishments, have been directed to function with 50 per cent staff working from home, while the remaining employees attend office. The Centre may also consider similar work-from-home arrangements for its staff.
The curbs also include a ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi, except those carrying essential goods or providing essential services. Only electric, CNG, LNG and BS-VI diesel trucks are allowed to enter the city. Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, other than EVs, CNG or BS-VI diesel vehicles, have also been barred, except for essential services. Within the Capital, BS-IV and older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles have been prohibited.
All construction and demolition activities have been halted, including work related to roads, highways, flyovers, pipelines, power transmission and telecommunication projects. Vehicles carrying construction materials such as sand, bricks, cement, aggregates or debris are also not permitted to enter Delhi during this period.
Weather conditions are expected to continue hampering any immediate improvement in air quality. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) has forecast low wind speeds, generally below 10 kmph, with frequent calm conditions during morning and evening hours, which are likely to restrict the dispersion of pollutants. Its bulletin said air quality is likely to remain in the ‘Severe’ category on Sunday, before improving marginally to the ‘Very Poor’ category over the next two days. Over the following six days, pollution levels are expected to fluctuate between the ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Poor’ categories.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Sunday, forecasting moderate fog conditions. Dense fog prevailed in several parts of the Capital on Saturday, significantly reducing visibility and adding to the challenges posed by the deteriorating air quality.
