Delhi CM Atishi has announced staggered working hours for government offices across Delhi. This initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion and emissions, which contribute significantly to the city’s pollution levels. The decision follows three consecutive days of “severe” air quality in the city.
Under the new schedule, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi will operate from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Central Government offices will open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm, and Delhi Government offices will function from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm. The change is effective immediately and is part of a broader strategy to curb transportrelated pollution.
GRAP Stage III Restrictions Imposed
Amid the worsening smog and pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in DelhiNCR. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city reached 411 on Friday morning, placing it firmly within the “severe” category, which ranges from 401 to 450.
The GRAP system, designed to tackle escalating pollution levels, has four stages:
Stage I: “Poor” AQI (201300)
Stage II: “Very Poor” AQI (301400)
Stage III: “Severe” AQI (401450)
Stage IV: “Severe Plus” AQI (above 450)
Additional Measures to Reduce Pollution
With the implementation of GRAP Stage III, several restrictions have been put in place, including:
- A ban on all nonessential construction and demolition activities.
- Closure of stone crushers and mining operations within the DelhiNCR region.
- Restrictions on interstate buses, except for electric, CNG, and BSVI compliant diesel vehicles.
If the AQI worsens and crosses into the “Severe Plus” category, further Stage IV restrictions may be imposed. These could include a complete ban on construction, suspension of mining activities, a shift to online classes for students up to Class V, and daily water sprinkling on major roads to control dust.
Fog and Low Visibility Compounding the Crisis
The air quality crisis is being exacerbated by a thick layer of fog that has descended over Delhi, reducing visibility to as low as 400 meters in some areas, including Safdarjung. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also noted that Delhi recorded its lowest minimum temperature of the season at 15.6°C, which is slightly above the usual norms for this time of year.
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