A 12-point action plan under II was imposed in Delhi-NCR on Sunday. phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which lays down curbs to address air pollution in the region. Authorities also called on citizens to take “concrete steps” to mitigate the consequences, as outlined in Citizens’ Charter II.
Grap Phase 1 is already in effect. The decision to introduce Grap Stage 2 was taken just before Diwali, when the air quality in Delhi-NCR shot up to over 300 – in the ‘very poor’ category.
Not sure what GRAP Stage 2 is all about? What are the limitations of this step and what should the public do to help improve air quality or prevent it from getting worse? Here’s everything you need to know:
What is GRAP?
GRAP is a Graded Response Action Plan, an emergency framework for controlling and mitigating air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. It is based on daily average AQI levels in Delhi.
The GRAP contains a targeted action plan and measures especially to combat the generally adverse air quality scenario during the winter months in Delhi-NCR.
GRAP categorizes air quality into four grades: Grade I (Poor) with an AQI between 201 and 300, Grade II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Grade III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Grade IV (Severe Plus) for AQIs above 450.
Why was GRAP Stage 2 implemented in Delhi NCR now?
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjacent Areas (CAQM) imposed Grade I GRAP on October 14 after the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 211, terming it as “poor”.
Grap Stage 2 has now been implemented as the AQI crossed 300 on Sunday (October 19) and falls into the ‘very bad’ category. This drop in AQI was witnessed just a day before the festival of Diwali – the festival of lights.
“The AQI in Delhi has been showing an increasing trend since morning and was recorded as 296 at 4 pm and 302 at 7 pm. The IMD/IITM forecast also predicts further deterioration in the AQI in the coming days,” the order issued by the CAQM on Sunday said.
What does the general public have to do as part of Grap Stage 2?
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said in a press release on Sunday that citizens were urged to follow the “specific steps” outlined in the Citizen’s Charter II. stages together with the I. stage of GRAP.
It must facilitate the effective implementation of GRAP measures aimed at maintaining and improving air quality in the region.
The authorities have called on citizens to:
Source: PIB/ Ministry of the Environment, Forests and Climate Change
1. Use public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles.
2. Use technology, take a less congested route, even if slightly longer.
3. Regularly replace the air filters in your cars at the recommended intervals.
4. Avoid dusty construction activities during the months of October to January.
5. Avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass.
What are the curbs in Grap Stage 2?
The authorities issued a 12-point action plan according to II. stages of the GRAP, which is applicable throughout the NCR with immediate effect. This is in addition to all Phase I GRAP actions already in place.
This plan includes steps to be implemented and ensured by various agencies including NCR State Pollution Control Boards and DPCC.
1. Perform daily mechanical, vacuum sweeping and sprinkling of identified roads. Increase the number of shifts/hours of deployment of such machines to further intensify mechanized sweeping
2. Provide daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, preferably before rush hours, on roads and before driving, especially in hotspots, high traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of collected dust at designated sites/landfills.
3. Intensify inspections to strictly enforce dust abatement measures at C&D sites.
4. Ensure targeted and targeted measures to reduce air pollution in all identified hotspots in NCR.
5. Ensure uninterrupted power supply to prevent the use of alternative power generators/equipment.
7. Synchronize traffic movements and deploy appropriate personnel at intersections or traffic jams for smooth traffic.
8. Advertisements in newspapers, television and radio to advise people about air pollution levels and dos and don’ts to minimize polluting activities.
9. Increase parking charges to discourage private transport.
10. Expand public transport services through CNG, electric buses and metro services by introducing additional fleet and increasing service frequency. Introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
11. Resident welfare associations must provide electric heaters to security, sanitation, horticulture and other miscellaneous service workers to avoid open burning of biomass/MSW during winter.
12. Do not allow interstate buses from NCR states, other than EV, CNG, BS-VI Diesel, to enter Delhi (except buses / Tempo Traveler operated with All India Tourist Permit)
