The Centre's task force on Delhi-NCR air quality has come out with a revised plan for winter pollution, asking states to enforce stricter measures when the air quality worsens and making hybrid learning in schools compulsory on days when air pollution gets severe.
Poor air quality, due to unfavourable weather conditions, prevails for long periods in winter months from November through January.
Delhi frequently enforces restrictions during this time under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which classifies air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor) with AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450.
Inter-state buses from NCR states will not be allowed to enter Delhi except EVs and those running on CNG or BS-VI diesel. The same provision had become operational earlier under Stage III.
In addition to security staff, resident welfare associations will also be required to provide electric heaters to staff involved in sanitation, gardening, and other services to prevent open burning of biomass or solid waste during winters.
Persons with disabilities are also exempted from restrictions on the BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar under Stage III.
The Delhi government has also been ordered to prohibit use of diesel medium goods vehicles (MGVs) beyond BS-IV or old standards except those carrying any essential goods or services within city limits under Stage III.
Similarly, non-essential diesel LCVs of BS-IV or older standards, registered outside Delhi, will not be allowed to enter the city. Hitherto, restrictions were only on BS-III vehicles.
The panel has also directed schools and colleges in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar to move classes up to Class V to hybrid mode (both online and offline) under Stage III.
Students and parents will have the option to choose online education wherever it is available.
Under Stage IV, which is invoked when the AQI crosses the 450 mark, schools in Delhi and NCR districts will have to conduct classes for students from Class VI to IX and XI in the hybrid mode.
Stage III has also asked the state governments of Delhi and NCR to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies. The Centre may opt for the same staggered timings for central government offices in Delhi-NCR.
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