New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday imposed Stage-II restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) as Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘Very Poor’ category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 324.
The decision was taken after a review by the CAQM sub-committee, which noted a sharp decline in air quality over three days. Delhi recorded an AQI of 117 on Saturday, placing it in the ‘Moderate’ category. The reading climbed to 261 on Sunday before reaching 324 on Monday.
With Stage-II measures coming into force alongside the existing Stage-I restrictions, authorities in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been directed to step up pollution-control measures across the NCR.
As part of the measures, municipal bodies will increase mechanical and vacuum-based road sweeping, along with water sprinkling using dust suppressants on busy roads and congestion-prone stretches. These activities will be prioritised before peak traffic hours.
Authorities will also intensify inspections at identified pollution hotspots and construction and demolition sites to check dust emissions and ensure compliance with existing norms.
To reduce dependence on private vehicles, urban local bodies have been asked to increase parking charges. Staggered working hours are also being implemented for government offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
The CAQM has further directed Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to provide electric heaters to security guards, sanitation workers and horticulture staff. The measure aims to prevent open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste during the winter season.
The commission has appealed to residents to limit the use of private vehicles and choose public transport or carpooling wherever possible. Citizens have also been advised to avoid activities that generate dust and consider working from home if their jobs permit.
