It banned the use of diesel generator sets and coal and firewood, including tandoors in hotels, restaurants and open eateries. Unlike in previous years, Phase II, III and IV of the revised GRAP comes into force three days in advance based on the forecast. The sub-committee also appealed to the citizens of NCR to use public transport and reduce the use of private vehicles.
Air quality likely to enter ‘very poor’ zone by October 22
The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM), in its order on Wednesday, while implementing the measures in the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), said, “The air quality in Delhi is anticipated to deteriorate and may shift to AQI. 22 ‘Extremely poor’ category from October, which is likely to be a result of calm wind conditions and stable atmospheric conditions.
The situation is expected to worsen with Diwali on October 24. Therefore, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality, the Sub-Committee decided that all works under Phase II of GRAP, in addition to all works under Phase I, shall be implemented by all concerned agencies in NCR with immediate effect. to be done. ,
The CAQM order prohibited the use of DG sets, except for emergency and essential services like medical services in hospitals and nursing homes, lifts, escalators, travellers, railway services, metro services, airports, ISBTs, sewage treatment plants, water pumping stations, national security Banned. /Defence related activities, projects of national importance and telecom/data services. However, there is no restriction on operation of CNG/PNG/LPG powered generator sets for any area. For industries, the CAQM has already allowed the use of dual fueled DG sets to run for a maximum of two hours a day.
Phase II includes mechanized cleaning of roads, increase in parking charges to discourage private transport, augmentation of CNG/electric bus and metro services by procuring additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service and providing electric heaters to residents’ welfare associations. Intensive mitigation works like giving instructions have been demanded. Winter to security staff to avoid burning open biomass and municipal solid waste.
Citizens have been asked to change air filters in their automobiles regularly at recommended intervals and avoid dust-generating construction activities. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Center for Science and Environment, said, “The key change in GRAP this year is that pre-emptive and preventive action is being taken based on forecasts. However, there is proper enforcement of measures throughout. Delhi and NCR is serious.”
Meanwhile, the capital’s overall AQI stood at 228 and Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the poor category till October 21. The share of stubble burning in Delhi’s air was just 1% on Wednesday. VK Soni, head of the Center for Environment and Research, India Meteorological Department, said, “Calm winds are likely to prevail in the evening and night, leading to accumulation of pollutants. The air quality is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ category during Diwali. “The air quality during Diwali is likely to deteriorate due to adverse weather conditions as well as vehicular pollution and additional emissions like firecrackers,” he added.