NEW DELHI, 7 November (H.S.): The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as the national capital's average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 382, placing it in the 'very poor' category, ahead of Diwali.

The decision was taken as pollution levels continued to rise and forecasts indicated that air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region could deteriorate to the 'severe' category. The restrictions under Stage III have been imposed as a precautionary measure and will operate alongside the measures already in force under GRAP Stages I and II.

Under Stage III, non-essential construction and demolition activities have been prohibited. Restrictions have also been imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. Polluting industries using non-approved fuels, stone crushers and mining activities across Delhi-NCR have been ordered to shut down.

Schools up to Class 5 in Delhi and the NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar have been directed to conduct classes in hybrid mode, allowing students to attend either physically or online, wherever feasible. Other NCR districts may also consider similar arrangements.

The Delhi government and state governments in the NCR may decide whether public, municipal and private offices should operate with 50 per cent of their staff physically present, with the remaining employees working from home. The Centre may take a separate decision regarding its employees. Private offices have also been advised to consider work-from-home or hybrid arrangements.

Metro and public bus services will continue to operate. Authorities may increase Metro frequency and deploy additional buses to encourage the use of public transport. Vehicles not covered by the restrictions, including eligible BS-VI, CNG and electric vehicles, may continue to ply subject to existing regulations.

Construction work related to essential infrastructure projects may continue, provided prescribed dust-control measures are followed.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's average AQI rose to 382 on Friday from 369 on Thursday. Of the 58 monitoring stations that recorded data, 26 reported air quality in the 'severe' category, 31 in the 'very poor' category and one in the 'poor' category.

Punjabi Bagh recorded the highest AQI at 453, followed by Jahangirpuri at 447 and Rohini at 444, while Lodhi Road was the only station to report 'poor' air quality.

The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi forecast that the AQI could remain in the 'severe' category from November 7 to 9. Pollution levels are expected to fluctuate between the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories over the following six days.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar