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The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday imposed GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR hours after strict curbs were imposed under GRAP III. The tightening of norms by the pollution agency comes as the air quality in the national capital breached 400-mark.

According to Central Pollution Control Board, the Air Quality Index as of 4 pm on December 13 was at 431 in the severe category.

The CAQM said that the Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to invoke all actions under Stage-IV of GRAP, in addition to the restrictions under GRAP III. With stricter norms in place, the capital is set to witness restrictions on schools, colleges, construction, commercial vehicles and offices.

The pollution agency on Saturday announced GRAP III measures in place, which includes a provision for hybrid classes for students up to Class V.

“State Govts in the NCR and the GNCTD to mandatorily conduct classes in schools for children up to class V in a “Hybrid” mode i.e., both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar,” the CAQM order said.

With GRAP IV measures in place, the government is expected to suspend physical classes for students from Class VI to IX, while classes for Class XI and above may be conducted in online mode.

“NCR State Govts. and GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI – IX, class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode,” the CAQM order under GRAP IV mandates.

It also mandates state governments in Delhi-NCR to consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges, educational institutions and closure of non‑emergency commercial activities, along with other restrictions on discontinuing offices.

An official confirmation from the Delhi government and private schools in the capital and neighbouring NCR is awaited.