New Delhi : Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage-III has been invoked in Delhi and its peripherals as air quality is likely to dip into “severe” category, owing to unfavourable Meteorological and climate conditions, said the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday.
On Friday, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 409 as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Following a sharp decline in Delhi’s overall air quality since this morning, the Sub-Committee for the Graded Response Action Plan’s operationalization convened today. The official stated, “The Sub-Committee noted that the overall AQI of Delhi since morning is on a steady rise while thoroughly examining the overall air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/IITM during the meeting.”
The average AQI for Delhi on this date was 397 at 10.05 a.m., 398 at 12.05 p.m., 400 at 1.05 p.m., and above 400 thereafter.
“Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to re-invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of GRAP — ‘severe’ Air Quality (AQI ranging between 401-450), today with immediate effect in the entire NCR,” said the official.
“This is in addition to the restrictive actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP already in force in NCR. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-III of GRAP in addition to actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP during this period,” said the official.
An 8-point action plan as per Stage-III of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect from Friday in the entire NCR.
This 8-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC.
In addition, the CAQM ordered that daily water sprinkling and dust suppressant applications be made on roads and right-of-ways, including hotspots and heavily trafficked corridors, before peak traffic hours. Proper disposal of the gathered dust must be ensured in designated sites or landfills, and the NCR as a whole was ordered to strictly prohibit construction and demolition operations.
“For all construction projects in NCR, non‑polluting/ non-dust generating activities such as plumbing works, electrical works, carpentry related works and interior furnishing / finishing / decoration works (excluding painting, polishing and varnishing works etc) shall be permitted to be continued,” the CAQM stated.
The CAQM further said to close down operations of stone crushers, all mining and associated activities in NCR. The CAQM also imposed restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
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