Capital records ‘poor’ air quality, GRAP-I imposed

With Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 200 mark, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) triggered Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the NCR on Monday.

Major steps in Graded Response Action Plan-I

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• Strict dust mitigation: Ensuring compliance with guidelines on dust control at construction sites and proper handling of C&D waste.
• Waste management: Regular removal of municipal, hazardous and construction waste from dumping sites to prevent illegal dumping.
• Vehicle emission control: Strict vigilance for visibly polluting vehicles, enforcement of PUC norms and fines for vehicles violating pollution norms.
• Traffic management: Deployment of traffic police at high-traffic areas to reduce congestion and emissions.
• Ban on open burning: Prohibition of open burning of biomass and solid waste with heavy penalties for violations.
• Power management: Avoidance of diesel generators for power, ensuring reliable electricity supply and promoting clean energy alternatives in hotels, restaurants and open eateries.

The move comes as Delhi recorded a daily average AQI of 234 on Monday, placing it in the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board bulletin.

In response to the worsening air quality, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP held a meeting on Monday to review the situation and consult weather forecasts from the Indian Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, it said.

The forecasts suggest that Delhi’s air quality will remain in the “poor” category for the next few days due to unfavourable meteorological conditions. As a result, CAQM has ordered that from 8 am on October 15, all 27 measures under Stage-I of GRAP will be enforced across the NCR. These actions are focused on mitigating dust pollution, curbing vehicle emissions and enforcing stricter regulations on construction and demolition activities.

The CAQM has also called upon citizens to follow the guidelines laid out in the Citizen Charter of GRAP Stage-I. Key recommendations include keeping vehicles tuned, maintaining proper tyre pressure, avoiding idling engines and reporting any violations of air pollution regulations through the Green Delhi, SAMEER or 311 mobile apps.

The commission urged the citizens to avoid firecrackers and use eco-friendly alternatives. It further said the situation will be closely monitored by CAQM in the coming days, with further stages of GRAP potentially being invoked if air quality deteriorates. Stage-I actions will remain in effect until AQI levels improve.