With persistent toxic air clouding its skies over the last few days, Delhi is expected to witness a further deterioration of air quality to the 'Severe+' category over the next few days with AQI already crossing the 450 mark. As a result, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage 4 of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

1. Non-Delhi-registered BS3 petrol, BS4 diesel cars banned 
2. Stage 4 of CAQM’s GRAP will see most trucks banned in Delhi-NCR
3. Construction and demolition activities for public projects also halted

The third stage of the plan was implemented on November 2, which had banned BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Considering the national capital has consistently recorded an average AQI of over 450, the plan’s fourth stage will now be implemented.

While the key reason for the deteriorating air quality is attributed to the intense smoke emanating from crops being burnt in neighbouring farming states of Punjab and Haryana, measures are being implemented to curtail vehicular pollution.

As part of the latest stage of the emergency plan that has been enforced from November 5, entry of all trucks – barring those for essential commodities or services, and ones running on CNG or electric technology – has been banned until further notice.

The action plan also imposes a ban on non-Delhi-registered LCVs – other than those running on CNG, electric power, or BS6 engines as well as those carrying essential commodities or offering essential services – alongside putting a temporary ban on all non-BS6-compliant diesel four-wheelers in the National Capital Region.

While all construction and demolition activities related to public projects have also been directed to come to a complete standstill, the commission continues to monitor the air quality situation in the national capital, and will announce further courses of action accordingly.