Air quality turns ‘severe’; ban on entry of trucks

As the overall air quality of Delhi plunged into the ‘severe’ category on Saturday, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) announced a ban on the entry of trucks into the city, except for those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services.

Trucks powered by LNG, CNG, battery, or BS-VI diesel are not affected by the ban and can still enter the city.

In Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, classes for students – except those in Classes 10 and 12 – will move to a ‘hybrid mode’.

These restrictions are part of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan, short-term emergency measures to curb air pollution.

The overall air quality index at 8 p.m. was 428 (severe), according to the official bulletin.

The CAQM suggested that State governments could take additional steps such as closing colleges and other institutions, suspending non-essential commercial activities, and implementing an odd-even rule for vehicles.