Stage-I GRAP implementation begins as Delhi struggles with poor air quality levels

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the whole National Capital Region (NCR) as Delhi's air quality continues to decline and is in the "poor" category.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) daily AQI bulletin, Delhi's average daily Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 234.

AQI of 50 or lower is defined as "good" air quality, while between 51 and 100, it's considered "satisfactory."

A value of 101–200 is considered "moderately polluted," 201-300 is considered "poor," 301–400 is considered "very poor," and anything over 400 is considered "severe," where breathing becomes difficult.

“The Sub-Committee unanimously decided that all actions as envisaged under Stage-I of GRAP — ‘Poor’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 201-300) — be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned from 8:00 AM on Oct 15 in the NCR, CAQM said in a statement.

The implementation of a 27-point action plan by Delhi and its neighboring regions is intended to mitigate pollution and stabilize the deteriorating air quality in the city, it said.

CAQM said that construction and demolition (C&D) operations must properly employ dust mitigation techniques, and C&D waste must be managed environmentally as part of Stage-II activities.

This entails keeping an eye out for unlawful garbage dumping in public places and regularly collecting hazardous, construction and demolition, and municipal solid waste, also known as MSW, from approved disposal sites, it added.

Roads must be periodically swept by machinery, sprinkled with water, or both. Authorities must also make sure that any dust collected is dumped at approved landfills or places.

Together with increased usage of anti-smog guns, water spraying, and dust suppression measures in road construction, maintenance, and repair projects, stringent enforcement of anti-smog gun standards at C&D sites is also necessary.

Keeping AQI in mind, The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has announced a blanket ban on firecrackers within the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi till Jan 1, 2025, in an effort to reduce air pollution levels ahead of Diwali.

The prohibition extends to the production, distribution, and storing of firecrackers as well as their use in internet marketing activities.

According to Gopal Rai, the State Minister for the Environment, air pollution in Delhi always rises significantly during the winter, with fireworks being a major contributor to the emissions.

"Like last year, we are imposing a complete ban on the production, storage, sale and use of all types of firecrackers. The online delivery or sale of any kind of firecrackers is also completely banned," he said.