CAQM activates Stage-II GRAP as Delhi air quality hits very poor
The Commission for Air Quality Management has implemented stricter pollution controls across the NCR after Delhi's AQI reached 324 on Monday.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect. This follows a sharp decline in Delhi's air quality, which reached an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 324 on Monday, placing it in the 'very poor' category, according to reports from Mint and The News Mill.
The CAQM sub-committee made the decision after reviewing air quality data and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). The city's AQI rose from 117 on Saturday to 261 on Sunday before hitting the current level on Monday.
Under Stage-II, authorities in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan must implement additional measures alongside existing Stage-I restrictions. These include intensified mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling with dust suppressants, particularly on heavy-traffic routes before peak hours. Inspections at construction and demolition sites will also be increased.
Municipal bodies have been told to raise vehicle parking charges to reduce the use of private cars. Additionally, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and state governments are enforcing staggered working hours for public offices and municipal staff in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are required to provide electric heaters to service personnel, such as security and sanitation staff, to prevent the open burning of waste during the winter. The CAQM has requested that residents use public transport, carpool, or work from home to help reduce pollution levels.