Delhi-NCR moves to GRAP-II as air quality worsens
The Commission for Air Quality Management has ordered tighter restrictions on transport and construction after the capital's air quality index reached 324 on Monday.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. According to The Tribune, the move follows a sharp rise in the capital's average Air Quality Index (AQI), which climbed from 117 on October 31 to 324 on Monday.
The CAQM stated that bad weather has worsened air quality and predicted that conditions would stay in the very poor category for the next few days. In Delhi, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 307 at 7 am on Monday, with Jahangirpuri recording the highest level at 417.
Under the new Stage II rules, authorities will increase parking charges to discourage private vehicle use and implement staggered timings for state and municipal offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will also run 20 additional weekday trips to encourage public transport use.
The restrictions include preventing the open burning of biomass and solid waste, alongside controlling dust from construction activities. Roads will undergo daily mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling to manage dust. Resident welfare associations have been asked to provide electricity and heaters to workers to prevent open fires for warmth.
Enforcement of vehicle emission standards has already caused traffic congestion at borders like Delhi-Noida and Delhi-Gurugram, according to Urban Acres. While transport contributes 16.4 per cent to Delhi's pollution, other sources include stubble burning at 18.5 per cent and residential sources at 4 per cent.