New Delhi: Air quality in the Delhi-NCR region triggered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement the first phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under the directives of the Supreme Court of India on Thursday, April 16.
The air quality dipped to the poor category across Delhi-NCR after the weather conditions changed. Over the past few days, adverse weather conditions, including unusual rain, have affected air quality in the region, but with the weather now being steady, the pollution level has again started to rise.
In the national capital, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was 226, placing it in the poor category. A senior official also said that the AQI of Delhi has been showing an increasing trend owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions, and the IMD and IITM have predicted that the AQI will remain poor in the next two days.
In light of this, all necessary measures under the first phase of GRAP will be implemented across the entire NCR. Relevant agencies have been instructed to maintain strict monitoring and intensify pollution control measures.
What’s allowed or what’s not
Under GRAP stage-1, the diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years are banned from running on the roads of the region. The roadside eateries and commercial kitchens are banned, with hotels and restaurants to operate on electricity, gas, or other cleaner fuel.
The projects which are exceeding from 500 square meters must adhere to approved dust control plans. The generators running on diesel will only be permitted for emergency purposes or for essential.
Motorists are to switch off engines at red lights in Delhi-NCR, while the traffic management measures include deploying police personnel at key intersections in the national capital.