GRAP-2 Enforced In Delhi/NCR, IMD Issues Warning; India's Capital In Grip Of Pollution Again?

The air quality in Delhi is expected to deteriorate and fall into the "very poor" category on 23rd and 24th October, owing to unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions. This concerning forecast has been communicated by both the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

Consequently, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures, which will be enforced across the entire National Capital Region (NCR).

Under these Stage 2 measures, the air quality panel has directed NCR authorities to increase parking fees as a means to discourage the use of private transport as per various media reports. Moreover, they are advised to enhance the services of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric buses, as well as metro trains to promote cleaner modes of transportation.

Stage 1 measures are already in effect, which include the suspension of private construction work and demolition projects exceeding 500 square meters.

The panel's order stated, "All actions as envisaged under Stage-II be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in NCR with immediate effect, in addition to all Stage-I actions of GRAP already in force."

ABOUT GRAP AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU:

GRAP classifies actions into four stages: 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).

In Stage 1, authorities are instructed to enforce a ban on the use of coal and firewood in 'tandoors' at hotels, restaurants, and eateries. This stage also involves taking action against polluting industrial units and thermal power plants within a 300-kilometer radius of Delhi.

Stage 2 entails the increase of parking fees to discourage private vehicle use and the expansion of CNG and electric public transportation options, such as buses and metro trains.

Under Stage 3, diesel vehicles up to Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) emission standards are prohibited in cities within the Delhi-NCR region, including Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Noida Extension.

This stage also halts most construction and demolition activities, except for essential government projects. It further bans light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, trucks, and medium-to-heavy goods vehicles, except for essential services.

Stage 4 involves a complete ban on all construction activities. State governments are authorized to close schools and initiate online classes, while government and private employees may be required to work from home.

As of Saturday, 21st Octobwe, Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) stood at 248, underscoring the urgency of implementing these measures to address the deteriorating air quality in the region.