Delhi Anti Pollution Rules Increase: GRAP IV Enforces Vehicle Bans and Work from Home in the Capital
Delhi Anti Pollution Rules: As the air pollution in India’s capital city has reached alarming levels, the centre took the strictest emergency measures. New Delhi Anti Pollution Rules were immediately put into effect under the Graded Response Action Plan’s Stage IV to combat the increasing toxicity of the air. The extensive measures that will be implemented on Thursday are designed to reduce air pollution through strict vehicle restrictions, mandatory home-based work, and an overall ban on construction.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which was recorded as 358 on Friday, remained at a very poor level. CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) escalated its response level to Stage IV. This is the highest alert within the framework for pollution control. The air quality must be above the “severe” threshold, or show a tendency to remain at such levels. The new restrictions come on top of the GRAP Stages I, II, and III, which are already in place, and mark a major crackdown against pollution in the National Capital Region.
The updated Delhi Anti Pollution Rules are a set of rules that restrict the movement of vehicles and access to fuel. From Thursday, 18 December 2018, vehicles that do not have a Pollution Under Control certificate (PUC) will be prohibited from fueling up at petrol stations in the capital. The measure is intended to make sure that only cars meeting the emission standards can be on the roads. The entry of non-Delhi private vehicles has also been severely restricted. Private vehicles must meet Bharat Stage-VI emission standards to be allowed into the city. BSVI fuel has been recognized by the World Health Organization as being one of the cleanest standards in fuel. This move is intended to eliminate older vehicles that are more polluting.
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New Delhi Anti Pollution Rules also extend the restrictions to commercial transportation. Light commercial vehicles that are not essential and registered outside Delhi cannot enter the city. The only exceptions to this rule are those powered by electric, CNG or BS-VI Diesel. Trucks and heavy goods carrying construction material are also prohibited from entering the city. This reflects the government’s policy of zero tolerance for dust emissions and vehicle exhaust. These entry bans only apply to vehicles that carry essential commodities and those who provide essential services. This ensures the supply chain of daily essentials in the city remains unaffected.
Delhi Anti Pollution Rules mandate a policy of 50% working from home for government and private offices. This is a major shift in the workplace. The GRAP Framework mandates that office buildings operate only with half of their employees physically present when Stage III or above is activated. This directive is a standing order under the GRAP framework, which requires office establishments to operate with only half their staff strength physically present whenever Stage III or higher is invoked. To help reduce pollution, private, municipal, and government offices must comply with the new regulations immediately.
The revised Delhi Anti Pollution Rules have a ban on all construction activities, which are a significant contributor to the particulates in the air. Stage IV, unlike previous stages that allowed certain exceptions to the ban on construction and demolition work. The strict prohibition includes all linear public works that had previously been exempted, including the construction of roads, highways and flyovers. It also covers power transmission lines, pipes, telecoms projects, as well as other linear public works. Administration has stressed that earth-moving and dust-generating projects will not be tolerated until air quality improves significantly.
Education is adapting as well to these urgent measures. The Delhi Anti Pollution Rules have directed schools to adopt a hybrid learning mode. The directive does not apply only to students of primary school, but also to students from classes 6 to 9 and 10. Online classes are offered by educational institutions where possible, to reduce the amount of travel for students and protect them from harmful outdoor air. The government could take additional measures, such as closing all colleges or other educational institutions, if the situation continues to worsen.
The authorities have stated that the measures will be reviewed based on changes in air quality. The government has the option to take even harsher steps under Stage IV if needed. Future actions may include closing non-essential businesses and reintroducing the even-odd rule for private cars. To avoid fines and to contribute to the collective efforts of the city to breathe cleaner, citizens are encouraged to keep up to date with the most recent Delhi Anti Pollution Rules.
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The Commission for Air Quality Management
The Commission for Air Quality Management is a legal body that was formed in order to identify and solve problems related to the air quality of the National Capital Region and adjacent areas. It is empowered to issue directives, receive complaints, and take the necessary actions in order to protect and improve the air quality within the NCR. The Commission oversees the implementation and monitoring of the Graded Response Action Plan, a series of emergency measures that are tailored according to air pollution severity.
