GRAP 3 has been implemented in Delhi due to severe air pollution (AQI 421). Under this, schools up to class 5 will run on hybrid mode. The government is taking various measures to control pollution.
New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi is getting worse. In view of this, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Tuesday that schools up to class 5 will now run on hybrid mode. This means that classes will be conducted both online and physically. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR), bringing Delhi’s air into the ‘severe’ category.
CM Gupta said, GRAP 3 has been implemented and all security measures have also been taken. Schools up to class 5 will run on hybrid mode – i.e. both online and physical. The government has discussed this issue in detail with all concerned departments and is working diligently to improve the air pollution situation. He assured that the government has been working on these issues for the last several months and will continue to do so in future also.
She said, “We have discussed in detail with all the departments. I also want to tell all of you that the cities around Delhi have a huge impact on pollution. Whatever measures the Delhi government is taking, they are being taken with full sincerity. Be it sprinkling of water, reducing dust, cleaning, picking up garbage, or controlling smoke, work is being done wherever it is needed. Vehicles coming from other states, smoke coming from other states – The government has worked vigorously on these issues in the last seven-eight months of its tenure and is continuing to do so… The government is working to ensure that we are asking for before and after pictures of the process of removing garbage from places where there used to be. All our hotspots and centers are being monitored in every possible way.” The Chief Minister assured the public that despite the technical problem, Delhi’s air quality records during that period were fine and visible.
He said, “Yesterday, I got the news that the (air quality) readings were not available for five-six hours. This was not Delhi’s fault at all. This was a pan-India issue. The app was not working at that time. Anyone could go online and see that Delhi’s records were correct. They were fully visible and working across the region. We want to assure the people of Delhi that the government is alert about the rules and is doing everything possible.”
On Tuesday morning, the air quality in the national capital was in the ‘severe’ category, with the overall air quality index (AQI) recorded at 421 at 7 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.