Delhi's Air Quality Drops: First Stage of Action Plan Starts

Delhi's air quality has worsened, falling into the 'poor' category. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached 234, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR). This plan was put into action starting at 8 am on October 14, with the Centre issuing directives to the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to implement winter-specific air pollution measures.

Understanding AQI and GRAP

Air quality standards are classified into six categories:

• Good (0-50)
• Satisfactory (51-100)
• Moderate (101-200)
• Poor (201-300)
• Very Poor (301-400)
• Severe (401-500)

GRAP Stage-I aims to control dust at construction sites, enhance road cleaning, and ensure proper waste disposal. It includes measures such as banning the open burning of waste, restricting the use of diesel generators, prohibiting coal or firewood in eateries, and enforcing stricter emission controls for vehicles, industries, power plants, and brick kilns.

Actions to Be Taken Under GRAP Stage-I

The 27-point action plan also encourages turning off vehicle engines at red lights, using electric or hybrid vehicles, and properly disposing of waste. Citizens are urged not to litter or dispose of garbage in open spaces and to report air-polluting activities through apps like the 311 App, Green Delhi App, and SAMEER App. The government had earlier planned to implement GRAP a month in advance to control vehicle movements, depending on the AQI level.

GRAP Implementation and Monitoring

Last November, the government imposed Stage IV of GRAP when Delhi-NCR’s air quality reached the ' severe' category. Now, various agencies, including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), have been instructed to enforce GRAP Stage-I measures strictly. The Commission for Air Quality Management is regularly monitoring air quality and will review the situation in the coming days.

Farm Fires and Stubble Burning

Following the Dussehra festival, Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'poor' category, marking 19 days since the last 'poor' AQI recorded on September 25. Stubble burning in Punjab, another major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, saw 872 incidents between September 15 and October 13 this year.

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Though this is the lowest count in five years, it still shows a sharp rise from 300 cases recorded as of October 7, according to satellite data monitored by CREAMS-Indian Agricultural Research Institute. Last year, 1,230 incidents were reported during the same period.