Delhi Air Pollution: What Are The Restrictions As GRAP Stage III Takes Effect From Today? – News18
Last Updated:
Delhi air pollution: Construction and demolition halted, all non-essential mining activities suspended, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses restricted, primary schools shut and classes shifted to online mode
The Commission for Air Quality Management noted that since November 13, Delhi’s AQI had remained in the ‘severe’ range, with forecasts indicating that it could stay at the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days. (PTI File)
As Delhi chokes in ‘severe’ air quality, the government implemented Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III measures from November 15 in which all construction and demolition work will be paused to begin with.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 409 on Friday, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city is under the ‘Severe’ category of AQI for the last three days.
There are six categories of AQI, namely ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (51-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (101-200), ‘Poor’ (201-300), ‘Very Poor’ (301-400), and ‘Severe’ (401-500).
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee, after an urgent review meeting on November 14, noted that since November 13, the AQI had remained firmly in the ‘Severe’ range, with forecasts indicating that it could stay at the higher end of the ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days.
Let us look in detail what are the GRAP Stage III measures.
What Is GRAP?
GRAP is implemented as an emergency measure when deterioration of air quality reaches at a certain threshold.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I — ‘poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II — ‘very poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III — ‘severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV — ‘severe plus’ (AQI >450).
The GRAP was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This was based on a plan that was submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2016.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was constituted through the CAQM Act, 2021, which came into force in the same year on April 13.
What Is Banned Under GRAP Stage III?
• Construction and demolition will be halted, all non-essential mining activities will be suspended, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses will be restricted, and schools are suggested to shut till Class 5 in Delhi-NCR.
• The ban of plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be imposed from Friday and commercial vehicles will be banned from entering NCR.
• An increase in the mechanised sweeping of roads, as per CAQM orders. It also asked for an increase in water sprinkling on roads in hotspot areas, especially before peak traffic hours. The government has also urged Delhi residents to carpool and prefer using public transport as much as possible.
• The Delhi Metro will run an additional 20 trips (in addition to 40 already in place since GRAP-II was implemented) from today under Stage III of GRAP. The 60 extra trips will be performed by Metro on weekdays till GRAP-III remains in place.
What Steps Have Been Taken Under GRAP I And GRAP II?
Some measures already taken by the concerned agencies in NCR, which include:
• Mechanical/ vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads daily.
• Using water sprinkling along with the use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust, especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, and vulnerable areas and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.
• Synchronising traffic movements and enhancing parking fees to discourage private vehicle movement.
• Using various media channels to inform people on how best to minimise polluting activities.
• Strict regulations on using and operating diesel gensets (DG sets)
• Use of public transport and minimise use of personal vehicles. Moreover, opt for a less congested route even if it takes slightly longer.
• Regularly replace air filters in automobiles.
• Avoid dust generating construction activities from October to January.
• Avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass.
What is Delhi’s Environment Minister Saying?
Gopal Rai said Delhiites are not solely responsible for the pollution problem. The NCR states and those adjacent to it are equally accountable. “Therefore, if we want to reduce the pollution levels in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Central governments must work together,” he said.
Citing studies, Rai said contributions from surrounding areas play a significant role in Delhi’s pollution levels, with 30% of the pollution originating from local sources and 34% coming from the national capital region.
He also mentioned that the government would review all current action plans and campaigns and enhance enforcement efforts to prevent pollution levels from reaching emergency thresholds.
Discover more from Divya Bharat 🇮🇳
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
