New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi - National Capital Region (NCR) slipped into the 'very poor' category on Monday, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to impose stage two measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
According to the CAQM sub-committee review meeting held today, Delhi's air quality witnessed a steep and sudden downward spiral over a 72-hour window, beginning with an AQI of 117 in the 'Moderate' category on Saturday, followed by a sharp rise to 261 in the 'Poor' category on Sunday, and worsening further to 324 in the 'Very Poor' category by Monday.
It added that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology forecast that Delhi's overall air quality is likely to remain in the 'Very Poor' category in the coming days.
GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold.
The first stage, GRAP-I, kicks in when the AQI is between 201 and 300; the second stage, GRAP-II, is invoked when the AQI is between 301 and 400; GRAP-III kicks in between 401 and 500; and GRAP-IV is invoked when the AQI is more than 450.
With GRAP-II restrictions in place, authorities will intensify measures to curb dust pollution and promote public transport. The measures include regular mechanical road cleaning, water sprinkling, and the use of anti-smog guns to reduce dust. Parking fees will also be increased as part of the measures.
With Stage-II now active alongside existing Stage-I restrictions, municipal corporations, traffic police, and pollution control boards across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan have been directed to enforce stringent actions.
Additionally, heightened inspections and remedial interventions will target known pollution hotspots and Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites across the NCR.
Furthermore, authorities are implementing staggered working hours for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Finally, Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are mandated to provide electric heaters to security guards, sanitation workers, and horticulture staff to prevent open biomass or municipal solid waste burning during chilly winter periods.
In September, the CAQM modified the GRAP framework, bringing changes like the extension of restrictions on the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or below-standard LMVs (four-wheelers) to Sonipat in Haryana under GRAP-3.
Earlier, these restrictions were limited to only Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
(With inputs from PTI & ANI)