A 12-point action plan as per Phase II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was introduced across Delhi-NCR on Sunday, imposing curbs to tackle air pollution in the region. Authorities have also urged citizens to follow “specific steps” as listed in the Citizen’s Charter of Phase-II to mitigate. Joke Phase I is already operational. The decision to implement Grap Phase 2 was taken just before Diwali, when the air quality in Delhi-NCR rose to over 300 – under the ‘very poor’ category. Don’t know what GRAP Stage II is all about? What are the curbs imposed under this step, and what should the public do to help improve air quality or prevent it from deteriorating further? Here’s everything you need to know: What is GRAP? GRAP is the Graded Response Action Plan, an emergency framework to control and reduce air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. This is based on daily average AQI levels in Delhi. GRAP contains a targeted action plan and measures to combat particularly the generally adverse air quality scenario in the winter months in Delhi-NCR. GRAP categorizes air quality into four phases: Phase I (Poor) with AQI between 201 and 300, Phase II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Phase III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Phase IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450 implemented? Why has GRAP been implemented in Delhi now? The Commission for Air Quality Management in NKR and Adjacent Areas (CAQM) introduced GRAP Phase I on October 14 after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region fell to 211, categorizing it as ‘poor’. Joke Phase 2 has now been implemented as the AQI crossed 300 on Sunday (October 19), which falls under the “very poor” category. This decrease in the AQI was seen just a day before the festival of Diwali – the festival of lights. “The AQI of Delhi has shown an increasing trend since morning and was recorded as 296 at 4 pm and 302 at 7 pm. The forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts further deterioration of AQI in the coming days,” said an order issued by the CAQM on Sunday. Under GRAP Phase II, what should the general public do? In a press release, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change said on Sunday that citizens are encouraged to comply with “specific steps” listed in the Citizen’s Charter of Phase-II, along with Phase-I of GRAP. They must assist in the effective implementation of the GRAP measures aimed at maintaining and improving air quality in the region. Authorities have encouraged citizens to: Source: PIB/ Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change 1. Use public transport and minimize the use of personal vehicles. 2. Use technology, take a less congested route even if it is slightly longer. 3. Replace air filters regularly at recommended intervals in your cars. 4. Avoid dust-generating construction activities during months from October to January. 5. Avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass. What are the curbs imposed under GRAP Phase II? Authorities have released a 12-point action plan as in Phase-II of GRAP which is applicable in the entire NCR with immediate effect. This is in addition to all Phase-I actions of GRAP already in force. This plan includes steps to be implemented and ensured by various agencies including the Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and DPCC. These steps are: 1. Carry out daily mechanical, vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads. Increase the number of shifts/hours of deployment of such machines to further strengthen mechanized sweeping. 2. Ensure daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, preferably before peak traffic hours, on roads and right-of-way, especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of the collected dust at designated sites/dumping sites. 3. Strengthen inspections for strict enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites. 4. Ensure focused and targeted action for reducing air pollution in all identified hotspots in NKR. 5. Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of alternative power generation sets/equipment. 6. Strictly implement the schedule for regulated operations of diesel generator (DG) sets across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential etc. (Read more details here) 7. Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate staff at intersections or traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic. 8. Warning in newspapers, TV and radio to inform people about air pollution levels and dos and don’ts to minimize polluting activities. 9. Increase Parking Fees to discourage private transport. 10. Increase public transport services through CNG, electric buses and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service. Introduce differential fares to encourage off-peak travel. 11. Resident welfare associations must necessarily provide electric heaters to staff involved in security, sanitation, horticulture and other miscellaneous services to avoid open Bio-Mass/ MSW burning during winters. 12. Do not allow inter-state buses from NCR states other than EVs, CNG, BS-VI Diesel to enter Delhi (except buses / Tempo travelers driven with All India Tourist Permit)
GRAP-2 Restrictions in Delhi-NCR: What Does It Mean? Dos and don’ts for the public to minimize air pollution
