New Delhi: The supreme court has approved a relaxation of air quality measures in Delhi, allowing the city to transition from GRAP Stage 4 to GRAP Stage 2. The court instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage 3 or 4 immediately if the air quality index (AQI) breaches 350 or 400. Schools Transition Back To Physical ClassesThe Department of Education (DoE) issued a circular revoking previous mandates for online classes across all government, government-aided, and recognized private schools in the national capital. The circular stated, All classes in all schools are to be held in physical mode with immediate effect. School heads have been directed to communicate this change to students, staff, and parents. Improvment in Air QualityDelhis air quality showed signs of improvment on Thursday, with the AQI at 161 which comes under moderate category. According to AQI classifications, level between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 falls as satisfactory, 101 and 200 as moderate, 201 and 300 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe. The AQI had previously reached severe levels, prompting a shift to online classes starting November 17 for all grades except Classes 10 and 12. However, by November 18, even these classes were moved online due to the severe plus AQI.Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 4Under GRAP Stage 4, slight restrictions were imposed on diesel-run vehicles, allowing only those transporting essential goods. Non-essential light commercial vehicles along with trucks were prohibited from entering Delhi unless they operated on LNG, CNG or BS-VI diesel. Likewise to schools, offices in Delhi NCR were advised to operate at 50 per cent capacity, with any implementing work-from-home arrangements for their employees. As the city transitions to GRAP Stage 2, few restrictions have been relaxed however, the use of coal and firewood remains prohibited in open eateries, hotels and restaurants.
