(Image source from: PTI)

Stricter rules to reduce pollution are likely to start soon to address the bad air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas as winter begins. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has updated its regulations under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to stop the air quality from getting worse. The updated regulations move the restrictions from GRAP-IV to GRAP-III, which is currently applied in the capital due to an AQI over 401. The government of Delhi and others in the NCR need to decide if public, municipal, and private offices should operate at half capacity, with the other half working from home, according to the CAQM. The central government may also decide on allowing remote work for employees in central offices. Similar changes were made to other stages of GRAP.

For example, staggered working hours in government offices, which were part of GRAP-III, have now been moved to GRAP-II for an AQI between 301-400, strengthening early attempts to improve air quality. Advisories and additional transport that were previously part of GRAP-II will now be included in GRAP-I, which is used for an AQI between 201-300. "All agencies responsible for enforcing GRAP in NCR must take note of the changes made in the updated GRAP Schedule and carry them out immediately in the area," stated the CAQM. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI of 0-50 is good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor, and 401-500 is severe. The Delhi government announced yesterday that all schools and colleges must delay their physical sports events planned for November and December due to the worsening air quality. This morning, the capital reported an AQI of 360, which is classified as very poor by CPCB standards.