Today, Delhi recorded a daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 i.e. ‘Poor’ category, as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi’s hourly average AQI rose to 300 at 6PM and further rose to 302 at 7 PM i.e. ‘Very Poor’ category, prompting the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to immediately call a meeting to review the current air quality scenario and weather/ meteorological conditions. 

The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP comprehensively reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as the weather/ meteorological conditions and air quality forecasts made available by IMD/ IITM. Therefore, the Committee took a call to invoke the 12-point action plan as per Stage-II of the extant GRAP in the entire NCR, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

All actions as envisaged under Stage-II of the extant GRAP – ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI- 3O1-4OO), would be implemented with immediate effect in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in NCR, in addition to all Stage-I actions of GRAP already in force. Further, agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR States and DPCC have been addressed to ensure successful and strict implementation of actions under Stage-II of GRAP in addition to actions under Stage-I of GRAP during this period.

The Sub-Committee also urged the citizens to adhere to the following specific steps listed in Citizen Charter of Stage-II along with Stage-I of GRAP and assist in effective implementation of the GRAP measures aimed towards sustaining and improving air quality in the region, as under:

● People to use public transport and minimize use of personal vehicles. 

● Use technology, take less congested route even if slightly longer.

● Regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in your automobiles. 

● Avoid dust generating construction activities during months of October to January.

● Avoid open burning of solid waste and bio-mass. 

Further, a 12-point action plan as per Stage-II of extant GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR, in addition to all Stage-I actions of GRAP already in force. This plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by various agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and DPCC. These steps are:

1. Carry out mechanical/ vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads on a daily basis. Enhance the number of shifts / hours of deployment of such machines to further intensify mechanised sweeping

2. Ensure daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, preferably before peak traffic hours, on roads and right of ways especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites/ landfills.

3. Intensify inspections for strict enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites.

4. Ensure focused and targeted action for abatement of air pollution in all identified hotspots in NCR. Intensify remedial measures for the predominant sector(s) contributing to adverse air quality in each of such hotspots.

5. Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage use of alternate power Generating sets/ equipment (DG sets etc.).  

6. Strictly implement the following Schedule for regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential etc. in accordance with Direction No. 76 dated 29.09.2023. 

 

Capacity Range of DG sets	System to be adopted for control of emissions	Regulations for use
Power generating sets of all capacities running on LPG/ Natural Gas/ Bio-gas/Propane/Butane	None	No restrictions
Power generating sets up to 800 kW (1000 kVA) capacity to standards as per MoEFCC notification No. GSR 804 (E)  dated    03.11.2022	None	No restrictions.
DG sets to older specifications / standards
800 kW (1000 kVA)  and above	Any emission control system/mechanism, however subject to compliance of the prescribed emission standards in Direction no. 76	No restrictions
41 kW (51 kVA)  to less than  800 kW (1000 kVA)	Dual fuel mode  OR  Retro-fitted ECDs through certified agencies	No restrictions
19 kW (23 kVA)  to less than  41 kW (51 kVA)	Dual fuel mode	No restrictions   Note: DG Sets not working in a dual fuel mode, only owing to non-availability of gas infrastructure and supply, shall be permitted only for prescribed emergency services. *
Portable DG sets below 19kW (23 kVA)	Presently no specific means of emission control are available in this category / capacity range of DG sets.	Not to be generally permitted.  Permitted only for the prescribed emergency services. *

* Emergency services: 

(i) Only for operating elevators / Escalators / travelators 

(ii) Medical Services (Hospital / Nursing Home/ Health care facilities).

(iii) Railway Services / Railway Stations. 

(iv) Metro Rail Corporation & MRTS Services.

(v) Airports and Inter-State Bus Terminals.

(vi) Sewage Treatment Plants.

(vii) Water pumping Stations.

(viii) Projects related to national security, defence & of national importance.

(ix) Telecommunications and IT/ data services. 

 

7. Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections / traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.

8. Alert in newspapers / TV / radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do’s and Don’ts for minimizing polluting activities.

9. Enhance Parking fees to discourage private transport.

10. Augment public transport services through CNG/ electric buses and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service. Introduce differential rates to encourage off – peak travel

11. Resident Welfare Associations to necessarily provide electric heaters to staff engaged in security, sanitation, horticulture and other miscellaneous services to avoid open Bio-Mass/ MSW burning during winters.

12. Do not permit inter-state buses from NCR states, other than EVs / CNG / BS-VI Diesel, to enter Delhi (excluding buses / Tempo Travellers operated with All India Tourist Permit)

The Commission is closely monitoring the situation and will review the air quality scenario on a regular basis in the coming days. The extant schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s official website and may be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in

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VM

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