Thu Jan 16 11:27:49 UTC 2025: ## Delhi-NCR on High Air Pollution Alert: Stage 4 Restrictions Implemented

**NEW DELHI** – The Delhi-NCR region is grappling with severely deteriorating air quality, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) soared from 275 on Tuesday to 396 by Wednesday evening, nearing the “severe” category.

The sharp increase is attributed to a confluence of factors: calm winds, low temperatures, dense fog, and continued emissions from vehicles, crop stubble burning, and firecrackers. Meteorological forecasts predict the AQI to exceed 400, prompting immediate action.

Stage 4 restrictions include a complete ban on construction, a prohibition on non-essential diesel truck entry, and a mandatory shift to hybrid learning in schools (excluding classes 10 and 12). Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel heavy goods vehicles, except those providing essential services, are also banned.

The CAQM sub-committee noted the rapid escalation in pollution levels throughout Wednesday. Authorities are urging residents to minimize outdoor activities and adopt sustainable practices. The GRAP, a four-tiered plan to combat air pollution, categorizes air quality from “Poor” to “Severe Plus,” with Stage 4 representing a critical situation. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges in managing air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region during the winter months.

**(Note: The unrelated information about Saif Ali Khan’s stabbing has been omitted as it is not relevant to the air pollution story.)**

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