India, Nov. 11 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) has been on an increasing trend since morning and clocked 425 at 9 AM today. In wake of deteriorating air quality of Delhi, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas reviewed the air quality scenario in the region.
Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality owing to calm winds, stable atmosphere and unfavourable meteorological conditions, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of extant GRAP - 'Severe' Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I &II of extant GRAP already in-force in NCR.
Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been directed to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-III of extant GRAP, in addition to actions under Stages I & II of GRAP during this period. A 9-point action plan as per Stage-III of extant GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR. It includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC, as below:
1. Construction and Demolition activities:
(i) Enforce strict restrictions on the following categories of dust generating/ air pollution causing C&D activities in the entire NCR:
(ii) All construction related activities, other than those listed under 1(i) above, which are relatively less polluting / less dust generating shall be permitted to be continued in the NCR, subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time.
(iii) All C&D related activities, including those under 1(i) above, shall be continued to be permitted only for the following categories of projects, however subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time:
2. Close down operations of stone crushers in the entire NCR.
3. Close down all mining and associated activities in the entire NCR.
4. NCR State Govts. / GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. Though, Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) shall be permitted to ply BS - III Petrol / BS - IV Diesel LMVs, provided that these are specifically adopted for them and are run only for their personal use.
5. GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi - registered Diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) to BS-IVstandards or below, in Delhi, except those vehicles carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
6. GNCTD to not permit BS-IV diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers) registered outside Delhi, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
7. (i) State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD to mandatorily conduct classes in schools for children up to class V in a "Hybrid" mode i.e., both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
(ii) The NCR State Governments may also consider conducting classes for students up to Class V in a "Hybrid" mode as above in other areas in NCR.
Note: The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the students and their guardians.
8. (i) GNCTD and NCR State Governments to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar.
(ii) State Governments may take a decision to stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in other areas of NCR.
9. The Central Government may take a decision on staggering of timings of Central Government offices in Delhi-NCR.
Further, CAQM urges the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. In addition to steps under Citizen Charter of Stages I & II, citizens are advised to:
The Sub-Committee shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decisions depending upon the Air Quality in Delhi and forecast made by IMD/ IITM. Complete details of the extant schedule of GRAPare available on the Commission's website and can be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
