After the withdrawal of monsoon and stubble burning by farmers in Punjab, the anti-air pollution measures in Delhi will be improved from October 1 before winter. To tackle air pollution, Delhi is all set to implement the Revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
As per the directions of the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM), the scheme will come into force 15 days before the normal time to control the build-up of pollutants.
“We will also use a real-time source segmentation system that will help understand the real-time impact of pollution sources such as vehicles, road dust, construction dust, biomass burning, farm fires and industrial emissions,” an official said. ” ,
The Green War Room will monitor the violations and redress the grievances and grievances keeping in view the practice being followed for the last two years. A decision is yet to be taken on re-implementing the ‘Red Light on Car Off’ campaign, the official said.
The campaign ‘Red Light on Vehicle Off’ was first launched on October 16, 2020 to reduce vehicular pollution by turning off the engines while waiting for the traffic lights to turn green.
The official said a “complete ban” on firecrackers would cover the Dussehra celebrations as well. On September 10, the Delhi government had announced a complete ban on the storage and manufacture of firecrackers till January 1, 2023.
The revised GRAP, which is part of a new policy formulated by CAQM to reduce air pollution in Delhi-NCR, focuses on proactive implementation of restrictions based on forecasts – restrictions could be imposed up to three days in advance.
Earlier, authorities used to implement anti-pollution measures only when the concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 reached a certain threshold. This time anti-pollution measures will be implemented 15 days before the scheduled time.
The revised plan also includes a ban on BS IV four wheeler diesel vehicles. However, those engaged in essential services will be restricted in the border districts of Delhi and NCR. This is possible only when the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 450 mark.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2017 will come into effect from October 15 when the level of air pollution starts deteriorating.
The GRAP for the National Capital Region (NCR) is now 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 revised GRAP also recommends banning the use of coal and firewood. There will be a ban on coal and firewood on diesel generator sets in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, open eateries. However, these will be allowed for emergency and essential services under Stage I.
If the pollution level becomes severe, then construction and demolition activities will be banned in NCR. Essential projects will be barred from these rules.
(with agency input)
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