For the past week, Delhi has been tormented by its worst air air pollution with air quality index (AQI) hitting as excessive as 400 and even 999 in some areas. To fight deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of GRAP (Graded Response Action Notion) on Nov 2.
Stage III of GRAP is operationalised when the AQI stands in the ‘severe’ class from 401-450. Later, when AQI crossed 450-label, the CAQM invoked an 8-level action blueprint as per Stage-IV of the GRAP on Monday in the general Delhi-NCR spot.
What’s GRAP and when is it imposed?
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GRAP is a attach apart of emergency action plans which is utilized in four stages depending upon the severity of the air air pollution that’s determined by the air quality index (AQI).
In 2016, a Supreme Court ruling in the case of MC Mehta vs Union of India case addressed the air quality in the Delhi-NCR spot and ordered the creation of GRAP with varied AQI categories from Moderate to Severe.
Following the SC ruling, the Centre made up our minds to attach apart up the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining regions. CQAM used to be attach apart up as a statutory physique which works in step with varied States to earn and function plans for the prevention and administration of air air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
The blueprint used to be formally announced in 2017 by the Ministry of Surroundings, Forests and Climate Alternate to withhold PM 10 and PM 2.5 concentrations from exceeding the “reasonable” national AQI threshold.
Stages in GRAP
The GRAP for Delhi-NCR and neighbouring areas are divided into four stages-
Stage 1- “wretched” AQI ranging between 201 and 300
On this stage, the manager ensures correct style implementation of pointers on mud mitigation measures and sound environmental administration of Building and Demolition (C&D) wastes.
Stage 2- “very wretched” AQI of 301-400
Stage II necessitates a ban on diesel mills, the exhaust of coal or firewood in lodges, eating places, and open eateries, increased parking charges, and increased bus and metro frequency.
Stage 3- “severe” AQI of 401-450
Below this stage, the manager imposes a strict ban on constructing and demolition actions, hot mix vegetation, brick kilns, and stone crushers.
Stage 4- “severe plus” AQI of larger than 450
This stage ensures the stopping of vans in Delhi other than for LNG/CNG vans and these smitten by considerable products and companies. It additionally imposes a ban on Delhi-registered diesel-operated Medium Goods Autos (MGVs) and Heavy Goods Autos (HGVs) and additionally empowers authorities to rob a resolution on discontinuing physical lessons even for lessons VI-IX, class XI and conduct lessons in an on-line mode.
(With inputs from agencies)
