CAQM Sub-Committee Activates Stage-III GRAP Measures Across Delhi-NCR from 8:00 AM, 15th November 2024, to Curb Worsening Air Quality

CAQM Sub-Committee Activates Stage-III GRAP Measures Across Delhi-NCR from 8:00 AM, 15th November 2024, to Curb Worsening Air Quality

Today, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 424 as per the AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In wake of deteriorating air quality of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan met today. The Sub-Committee while comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/IITM during the meeting noted that the AQI of Delhi started improving since late night, which saw an episodic hike in AQI yesterday owing to highly adverse metrological and climate conditions. However, it remained stagnant since morning today and was hovering around 425 mark, due to continued heavy fog and unfavourable meteorological conditions over the Indo-Gangetic Plain including Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, etc. Further forecasts from IMD/ IITM also indicate the likelihood of the AQI of Delhi to remain in the higher end of ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days.

Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of revised GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (AQI ranging between 401-450), w.e.f. 08:00 AM of 15^th November, 2024 (tomorrow) in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under in Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP already in-force in NCR. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-III of GRAP in addition to actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP during this period. In 2023, Stage-III of GRAP was invoked on 02^nd day of November, whereas this year Stage-III of GRAP has been required to be invoked at a much later date in the winter season during 2024.

An 11-point action plan as per Stage-III of GRAP is applicable w.e.f. 08:00 AM of 15^th November, 2024 (tomorrow) in the entire NCR. This 11-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC. These steps are:

(i) Enforce strict ban 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 4(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 4(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:

Further, CAQM appeals to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter of GRAP Stage- III as under, in addition to steps under Citizen Charter of Stages I & II of GRAP. Citizens are advised to:

The revised schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s website and can be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in

 

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