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Pollution control agencies in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi have also been directed to implement the pollution control restrictions under GRAP Stage 1 from 8 am on Tuesday. GRAP is structured in four stages based on air quality levels: Stage I indicates ‘Poor’ air quality (AQI 201-300); Stage II is ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III is ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV is ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI over 450).
Know what’s allowed and what’s banned as GRAP Stage-1 restrictions imposed in Delhi NCR.
(PTI file photo)
New Delhi: The air quality has started to dip in the national capital post Dussehra, and this prompted the air pollution control panel for Delhi-NCR to order the state governments of the region to implement the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) starting 8 am on October 15. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was at 234 in ‘poor’ category. The action plan consists of 27 measures that aim to improve the air quality.
The sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed the current air quality in Delhi NCR and weather forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) before taking the decision to activate Stage 1 of GRAP.
Pollution control agencies in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi have also been directed to implement the pollution control restrictions under GRAP Stage 1 from 8 am on Tuesday. GRAP is structured in four stages based on air quality levels: Stage I indicates ‘Poor’ air quality (AQI 201-300); Stage II is ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III is ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV is ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI over 450).
Restrictions under GRAP Stage I
Stage I of GRAP focuses on reducing pollution during winter through several specific actions like:
- Reducing dust at construction sites
- Proper waste management
- Frequent road cleaning
It also includes strict checks on vehicles that cause pollution, improved traffic management, and emission controls in factories, power plants, and brick kilns. Specific restrictions under this stage are:
- No open burning of waste
- Limited use of diesel generators
- Prohibition on coal or firewood in restaurants
- No private construction or demolition for projects over 500 square meters
- Actions against industrial units and power plants that pollute within a 300 km radius of Delhi
- A ban on firecrackers until January 1, 2025
- Restrictions on diesel and petrol vehicles older than 10-15 years
- Prohibition on open burning of garbage
- Increased traffic police presence in crowded areas
- No tolerance for vehicles emitting visible pollution; these vehicles can be impounded or fined
- Strict enforcement of bans on burning biomass and municipal waste, with heavy penalties for violations
What’s allowed under Stage I of GRAP?
- Under Stage I, several measures are encouraged to help improve air quality:
- Manual road sweeping and water sprinkling to reduce dust
- Keeping vehicle engines well-tuned and tires properly inflated
- Ensuring up-to-date Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates for vehicles
- Turning off vehicle engines at red lights
- Opting for hybrid or electric vehicles to lower pollution
- Avoiding littering and disposing of waste properly
- Planting more trees
- Celebrating festivals in an eco-friendly way by avoiding firecrackers
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