Kochi: With Delhi’s air quality remaining in the “severe” category, and meteorological conditions expected to deteriorate it further in the coming days, the Union government has imposed further restrictions through the implementation of the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle the pollution.According to SAFAR, stubble fires contributed to 34% of Delhi’s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels (an air pollutant emitted during construction and fossil fuel combustion) on November 3. This has been the highest so far this year.But the bad news doesn’t stop here: the outlook for the next few days is not good. Government air quality warning systems have cautioned that air quality will remain in the “severe” category till November 5.Stage IV of GRAP in placeOn November 3, the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi remained in the 400s, which is when air quality affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases. At 9.30 pm on November 3, the AQI was 510.Many Delhi residents also complained of physical discomfort due to the poor air quality on November 3.The Sub-Committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) in an emergency meeting imposed specific restrictions under the fourth stage of GRAP (along with the existing restrictions set by stage I, II and III) with immediate effect. The GRAP consists of a series of restrictions that are imposed based on the severity of pollution in the national capital.As per the latest restrictions, all trucks (except compressed natural gas (CNG) or electric trucks and those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services) are banned from entering Delhi. The plying of diesel-operated medium goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi is also not permitted.All industries that run on fuels other than piped natural gas (PNG) have to also cease functioning now. However, industries such as milk and dairy units, and those manufacturing “life saving medical equipment/devices, drugs and medicines” are exempted from these restrictions.The state government can now decide on permitting public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and allow the rest of the workforce to work from home. It can consider additional emergency measures such as closing schools, colleges or educational institutions, and also consider the closure of non-emergency commercial activities, and ensure that vehicles ply on an odd-even basis everyday.Further, the CAQM advised citizens to stay indoors “as much as possible”, especially children and the elderly, as well as people with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases.The CAQM will hold the next comprehensive review on November 6, and decide on more GRAP measures based on the air quality forecast and other meteorological parameters.Also read: Blame Game Continues as Stubble Fires Rise in Punjab, Bad Air Days Return to DelhiSevere air quality to continueThere’s no good news on the horizon: Delhi will continue to witness “severe” air quality levels till November 5, as per the Air Quality Early Warning System.“As per the dynamic model and weather/meteorological forecast, the overall air quality over Delhi is likely to remain in the ‘severe’/’severe+’ category from 03.11.2022 to 05.11.2022,” a government press release on November 3 also said.As per the Central Pollution Control Board bulletin dated November 3, however, air quality is likely to remain “largely” in the “very poor” category over the next six days.Stubble fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana were also high, at 3,634 and 166, respectively, on November 2 when compared to 1,842 and 88 on November 1.The CAQM had implemented the third stage of the GRAP on October 30, following a deterioration in air quality.Note: This article was originally published on Thursday, November 3 at 11:24 pm and was republished on Friday at 10:40 am.