New Delhi: Amid the worsening air quality index (AQI) in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked stage two of the anti-pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Tuesday (Oct 22) morning. Under GARP Stage 2, restrictions will be imposed on the use of coal, firewood and diesel generator sets in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling will be carried out on some roads daily. Measures will be enforced to control dust enforced at construction and demolition sites.
The GARP Stage 2 also witnesses deployment of traffic personnel at congestion points. Vehicle parking fees will be increased to discourage private transport. There will be additional bus and metro services as commuters have been advised to minimize the use of personal vehicles.
People have been asked to regularly replace air filters in their automobiles. Besides, they have been advised to avoid dust-generating construction activities from October to January. The plan also banned burning of solid waste and biomass openly. These measures are in addition to the GRAP Stage 1 measures, which
had been in effect since October 15 in the national capital.
What’s the current status?
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data cited that the AQI in Delhi at 8 am on October 22 was recorded at 317, which comes under the “very poor” category.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, the daily average AQI of Delhi is likely to stay in the ‘very poor’ category in the coming days due to unfavorable climate.
What can happen if AQI deteriorates further?
If the AQI deteriorates further, restrictions can be imposed in accordance with the Stage 4 of GARP. These restrictions can be as follows:
- Entry of trucks into Delhi can be stopped.
- There may be a ban on construction and demolition activities for linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, telecommunication etc.
- The government can suspend physical classes, including for Classes Vl – lX and Class Xl.
- The government can decide whether it will allow public, municipal and private offices to operate with 50% manpower and the rest can work from home.
- The government may consider the closure of colleges/educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities
- Children, the elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases may be asked to avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors.