NEW DELHI: Ahead of the winter season, Delhi-NCR has updated its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle rising air pollution levels. Three additional measures have been introduced for stage III of GRAP, which comes into effect when the air quality index (AQI) surpasses 200 and reaches severe levels.
Starting this year, measures in stages II to IV will be implemented three days in advance if forecasts predict prolonged periods of high AQI.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also prohibited interstate buses running on non-clean fuels, along with BS-III diesel light commercial vehicles and heavy goods vehicles in Delhi. Previously, a ban was imposed on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers and construction activities during stage III.
For the first time, GRAP will be applied based on projected AQI levels expected to last for extended periods. Restrictions will be determined using AQI data and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
The CAQM said, “Actions under stages II, III, and IV of GRAP will be invoked in advance if AQI is projected to reach the levels of that stage and is likely to persist for longer periods, such as three days or more.”
Under stage III, when AQI ranges between 400 and 450, all construction and demolition activities will be banned. Prohibited dust-generating activities include welding, gas-cutting, plastering, coating (except minor indoor repairs), cutting or grinding flooring materials, waterproofing, and handling dust-producing materials like cement and bricks.
However, certain projects will remain exempt during stage III, including linear public projects, emergency works, sanitation efforts, and non-dust-generating activities.
During stage II, when AQI ranges between 300 and 400, there will be no restrictions on diesel generators between 62 kV and 800 kV if they are using dual-fuel mode or fitted with certified emission-control devices.
The CAQM also highlighted that GRAP has been revised to strengthen efforts against sudden or anticipated air quality deterioration during the winter season. GRAP is an emergency response mechanism aimed at coordinating actions across the NCR based on average AQI levels in Delhi.
The revised GRAP schedule will now apply across the entire NCR, with different stages being enforced through specific orders as per the region’s air quality conditions. The plan aims to mitigate the adverse effects of poor air quality, which is usually at its peak during winter months.
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