Delhi implements GRAP Stage 2 restrictions as air turns 'very poor'

The Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM has invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP across DelhiNCR as the citys air quality slipped into the very poor category with the AQI crossing 300 mark reported news agency PTIThe move came after the SubCommittee on GRAP on Saturday reviewed the worsening pollution levels and forecasts by the India Meteorological Department IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology IITM which warned of further deterioration in the coming daysThe AQI of Delhi has shown an increasing trend since morning and has been recorded as 296 at 4 pm and 302 at 7 pm the CAQM said directing authorities to implement all Stage II measures with immediate effect in addition to Stage I actions already in force since October 14 reported PTIThe Centres air quality panel also asked all implementing agencies to keep strict vigil particularly on dust mitigation and to ensure compliance with targeted timelines laid down under the comprehensive policy to curb air pollution in NCRUnder Stage II of GRAP several curbs and intensified actions include daily mechanical or vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling on identified roads preferably before peak traffic hours to control dustConstruction and demolition sites face intensified inspections to ensure strict enforcement of dust control measuresTo promote cleaner mobility the GRAP Stage II mandates augmentation of public transport services through additional CNG and electric buses and increased frequency of metro services along with differential fare rates to encourage offpeak travel reported PTIResident welfare associations RWAs are required to provide electric heaters to staff such as guards gardeners and sanitation workers to prevent open burning of biomass and solid waste during wintersEntry of interstate buses into Delhi is restricted to those running on CNG EVs or BSVI diesel excluding tourist buses operating under allIndia permitsGRAP categorises air quality into four stages Stage I Poor with AQI between 201 and 300 Stage II Very Poor between 301 and 400 Stage III Severe between 401 and 450 and Stage IV Severe Plus for AQI above 450Unfavourable meteorological conditions combined with vehicular emissions paddystraw burning firecrackers and other local pollution sources contribute to hazardous air quality levels in DelhiNCR during wintersAccording to doctors breathing in the polluted air of Delhi is equivalent to the harmful effects of smoking approximately 10 cigarettes a dayProlonged exposure to high levels of pollution can cause or exacerbate respiratory problems such as asthma bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dramatically raise the risk of cardiovascular diseaseWith inputs from PTI