NEW DELHI: With hazardous air continuing to choke the capital, the Delhi government on Wednesday rolled out a fresh set of stringent anti-pollution measures under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV), the most severe level of restrictions. The measures, which come into force from today, include denial of fuel to vehicles without valid pollution certificates, a ban on non-BS VI vehicles registered outside Delhi, and mandatory work-from-home for 50% of staff in government and private offices.
The government clarified that the restriction on entry of non-BS VI vehicles registered outside Delhi will remain only for the duration of GRAP-IV, modifying an earlier directive that had led to confusion. “If enforced beyond Stage IV, it would have caused massive disruption,” a government official said.
Key measures under GRAP-IV
- GRAP-IV in force: The strictest pollution-control stage activated across Delhi-NCR
- No PUC, no fuel: Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not be refuelled
- Non-BS VI vehicles barred: Private vehicles registered outside Delhi and below BS-VI norms cannot enter the city during GRAP-IV
- Intensive enforcement: Over 500 police personnel, 37 Prakhar vans and 126 checkpoints deployed
- Construction halted: All construction and demolition activities suspended; trucks carrying construction material barred
- 50% work-from-home: Mandatory for all government and private offices in the National Capital Territory
- Essential services exempt: Hospitals, utilities, transport, enforcement and disaster-response services excluded
- Penalties applicable: Violations punishable under the Environment (Protection) Act
- Carpooling push: Delhi government to launch a city-specific carpooling app
- Worker relief: ₹10,000 compensation announced for registered construction workers
- Pollution outlook: Severe air quality likely to persist till December 27
Officials said e-challan systems will be used to instantly verify vehicle emission norms and registration details at checkpoints and fuel stations.
Construction and demolition activities will remain suspended during GRAP-IV, with vehicles carrying construction material barred from entering the city. To cushion the impact on daily-wage earners, the government announced ₹10,000 compensation for registered and verified construction workers affected by the work stoppage.
Another major step is the mandate of 50% work-from-home across all government and private offices from Thursday. While essential services are exempt, the order has raised concerns over implementation and monitoring, particularly in the private and unorganised sectors.
Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the measures target four key pollution sources — vehicles, industries, dust and solid waste. He added that the government will soon launch a Delhi-only carpooling app, use Google Maps data to identify congestion hotspots, and implement an integrated traffic management system to improve signal coordination and reduce idling.
“This drive is not to inconvenience people but to make Delhi’s air breathable again,” Sirsa said. “Every Delhiite must ensure their vehicle has a valid PUC certificate. It’s a collective responsibility.”
Officials warned that air quality is expected to remain in the severe category until at least December 27, and GRAP-IV restrictions will stay in place until there is sustained improvement in pollution levels.
