Poison Spreads in Delhi-NCR Air, Even Breathing Turns Difficult; GRAP-4 Restrictions Implemented

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in Delhi-NCR remained in the “very poor” category on Sunday, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 380. Several parts of the region were covered in a layer of dense smog. At 7:15 am, Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 438 falling into the “severe” range while Bawana touched 431, Anand Vihar 427, and Ashok Vihar 421, all under the severe pollution category.

In NCR, Noida’s air quality stood at 396, just below the severe benchmark. Greater Noida recorded 380, considered “very poor,” while Ghaziabad registered a severe 426. Gurugram (AQI 286) and Faridabad (AQI 228) performed relatively better but still fell under the “poor” category.

As pollution levels rose sharply, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Saturday.

The CAQM announced that measures earlier reserved for GRAP Stage 4 (severe category) would now come into effect at Stage 3. These include ensuring uninterrupted power supply to reduce diesel generator use, deploying more personnel at traffic-heavy spots, issuing pollution alerts through media platforms, increasing the CNG and electric public transport fleet, enhancing service frequency, and promoting off-peak travel using differential fares.

Many actions previously placed in Stage 3 for the “very poor” category have now been shifted to Stage 2. These include staggered working hours for government offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. The Centre may also introduce staggered timings for its own offices in the region.

Restrictions that were earlier meant for Stage 4 such as allowing government, municipal, and private offices to operate with only 50% staff while the rest work from home will now be enforced under Stage 3.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has advised private offices to keep only 50% staff on-site as a precautionary measure, asking the remaining employees to work from home due to the deteriorating air quality in the capital.