Delhi Air Pollution: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on 5 November 2023 launched Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect in a bid to curb air pollution and prevent further deterioration air quality. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the ‘strong plus’ category with the AQI crossing the 450 mark.
#TO WATCH | Delhi: Delhi’s air quality is in the ‘Severe’ category according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
(Drone camera footage from the vicinity of the DND Flyover, taken at 9:30 a.m.) pic.twitter.com/mt3A2FWaWl
— ANI (@ANI)
November 6, 2023
An official notice issued by CAQM read: “In view of the prevailing trend in air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Subcommittee today called for all actions envisaged in Phase -IV of the GRAP ‘Severe+’ Air Quality ( Delhi’s AQI > 450), with immediate effect on the entire NCR. This is in addition to the preventive and restrictive actions mentioned in Phase 1, Phase II and Phase III of the GRAP.”
According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the state capital is also experiencing peak air pollution due to increase in stubble burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana. On 5 November 2023, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute reported 4,160 farm fires in northern India, the highest number of fires of the season. Punjab alone recorded 3,230 incidents of stubble burning.
What is GRAP Stage 4?
Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is an eight-point action plan containing emergency measures to be implemented in the Delhi-NCR region when air quality levels reach critical levels. GRAP is a plan that consists of four phases, with Phase IV being the most stringent.
What are the GRAP Phase 4 measures?
According to the 8-point action plan, “NCR / GNCTD state governments should take a decision to allow public, municipal and private offices to work at 50 percent capacity and the rest to work from home. State governments may consider additional emergency measures such as closing colleges /educational institutions without an emergency and closing commercial activities, allowing driving of vehicles on the basis of even-odd registration numbers, etc.,”
According to the 8-point action plan under Phase IV of GRAP issued by the government, the steps to be implemented are:
- Stop truck traffic entering Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential goods/providing essential services and all LNG/CNG/electric trucks).
- Do not allow entry into Delhi of light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, except electric vehicles/CNG/BS-VI diesel, except those carrying essential goods/providing essential services.
- Ban on plying of medium goods vehicles (MGVs) and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) registered on diesel power in Delhi, except those carrying essential goods/providing essential services.
- Prohibit C&D activities also in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, bridges, power transmission, pipelines, etc.
- State Governments of NCT. and GNCTD may take a decision to discontinue physical education even for classes VI to IX and class XI and hold classes in online mode.
- NCR/GNCTD state governments should take a decision to allow public, municipal and private employees to work at 50% strength and the rest to work from home.
- The central government can take the appropriate decision to allow employees in central government offices to work from home.
- State governments may consider additional emergency measures such as closure of colleges/educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, allowing plying of vehicles on the basis of even-odd registration numbers, etc.
The 8-point action plan under Phase-IV of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect from today across NCR. This 8-point action plan includes steps: Stop truck traffic from entering Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential goods/providing essential services and all… pic.twitter.com/Rc357cLaMw
— ANI (@ANI)
November 5, 2023
Why is GRAP Stage 4 significant?
GRAP Phase IV measures are designed to reduce air pollution levels and protect the health of the population. The measures are crucial to protect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems.
GRAP Phase IV measures have proven to be effective in reducing air pollution levels. For example, a study by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur found that Stage IV GRAP measures implemented in 2016-17. led to a 25% reduction in PM2.5 levels in Delhi.
#TO WATCH | Delhi fire services are spraying water in hotspot areas in the national capital to prevent pollution.
(Pictures from near Arun Jaitley Stadium) pic.twitter.com/tcvXxjww1O
— ANI (@ANI)
November 6, 2023
What is the Air Quality Index (AQI)?The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a color-coded scale used for daily air quality reporting. It is calculated using the concentration of five main pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The AQI is divided into six categories, from “good” to “dangerous”. AQI is a tool that can be used to help people understand the air quality in their area and the potential health risks associated with that air quality. It can also be used to track changes in air quality over time and to compare air quality in different areas. What are the main air pollutants that affect AQI?These air pollutants can cause a variety of health problems, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, respiratory problems, heart disease and cancer. The five main air pollutants that affect AQI are:
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Also read: What is the air quality index and how is it calculated?
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Source: newstars.edu.vn