Govt enforces GRAP-II rules as air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' category

Amid rising Delhi pollution Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Tuesday that GRAPII Graded Response Action Plan rules have been enforced across North India after the Air Quality Index AQI surpassed 300 reported news agency ANIHe said Five new initiatives have been introduced in GRAPII Diesel generators will be regulated The frequency of metros and buses will be increased Parking costs will be increased so that people dont use their cars for commuting The aim is to further reduce dust and vehicular pollution reported ANIA meeting with senior officials has been called to improve GRAPII implementation in Delhi NCRThe Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM ordered the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAPII in DelhiNCR on Monday after the overall Air Quality Index dropped into the very poor category in the region Delhi recorded a daily average AQI of 310 placing it in the very poor category according to the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board CPCBAs per the dynamic model and forecasts for weather and air quality made available by IMDIITM there is a likelihood of the daily average AQI of Delhi staying in the very poor category AQI 301400 in the coming days owing to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions Accordingly the SubCommittee for the operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan GRAP of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas CAQM met today to take stock of the air quality scenario of DelhiNCR according to a release from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change on the Delhi pollution reported ANIAccording to the CPCB order the SubCommittee decided that all actions as envisioned under Stage II of the GRAP for Very Poor Air Quality be implemented by all concerned agencies in the NCR in addition to the StageI actions already in force from 800 AM on October 22 2024 in the National Capital Region NCR to prevent further deterioration of air quality reported ANIWith Stage II of GRAP coming into force an 11point action plan is applicable with immediate effect throughout the NCR in addition to all StageI actions of GRAP already in placeThe action plan advises various agencies including the Pollution Control Boards of NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee DPCC to carry out mechanical vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of identified roads daily It also mandates ensuring water sprinkling along with the use of dust suppressants at least every alternate day during nonpeak hours on roads to control road dust especially at hotspots and heavy traffic corridors Proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites or landfills is also required reported ANIThe plan aims to intensify inspections for strict enforcement of dust control measures at construction and demolition CampD sites It urges focused and targeted action for air pollution abatement in all identified hotspots in NCR The CAQM has called for uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of alternate powergenerating sets and strict implementation of the regulated operations schedule for diesel generators across all sectors including industrial commercial residential and offices reported ANIThe CAQM has urged people to use public transport minimize personal vehicle use and regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in their automobiles The SubCommittee also encouraged citizens to take specific steps including using public transport and minimizing personal vehicle use taking less congested routes even if slightly longer regularly replacing air filters in automobiles avoiding dustgenerating construction activities from October to January and refraining from open burning of solid waste and biomass It urged the public to assist in effectively implementing the GRAP measures aimed at sustaining and improving air quality in the regionWith inputs from ANI