The central government’s panel focused on improving air quality in the Delhi-NCR region has unveiled an updated strategy to combat winter pollution. This plan mandates that states enforce stricter measures during periods of declining air quality, including requiring schools to adopt a hybrid learning approach—combining online and offline instruction—on days characterized by severe air pollution.
Poor air quality during the winter months, typically from November to January, is often exacerbated by unfavorable weather patterns, leading to extended periods of pollution. To address this, Delhi frequently implements restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which classifies air quality into four categories: Stage I (Poor), with an Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging from 201 to 300; Stage II (Very Poor), with AQI between 301 and 400; Stage III (Severe), with AQI from 401 to 450; and Stage IV (Severe Plus), for AQI levels exceeding 450.
As per the updated guidelines, inter-state buses from surrounding NCR states, with the exception of electric vehicles (EVs) and those powered by CNG or BS-VI diesel, will be prohibited from entering Delhi during Stage II—a measure that previously took effect only during Stage III. Additionally, resident welfare associations will be obligated to supply electric heaters to staff involved in sanitation, gardening, and other services, including security personnel, to discourage open burning of biomass or solid waste in winter.
People with disabilities are exempt from the restrictions imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and nearby districts such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar during Stage III. Furthermore, the Delhi government has been instructed to ban diesel medium goods vehicles (MGVs) that are BS-IV or older, unless they are transporting essential goods or services, within the city under Stage III.
Non-essential diesel light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside of Delhi and that meet BS-IV or older standards will also be barred from entering the city, an extension of previous restrictions that applied only to BS-III vehicles.
Schools and colleges located in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar will be required to transition classes for students up to Class V to a hybrid format during Stage III. The option to pursue online education will be available to students and their parents wherever feasible.
Under Stage IV, which is enacted when the AQI exceeds 450, schools in Delhi and surrounding regions must also facilitate hybrid classes for students from Class VI to IX and XI.
In addition, the governments of Delhi and the NCR are directed to implement staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies during Stage III, with the central government considering similar staggered schedules for its offices within the Delhi-NCR area.
