After air pollution reached dangerous levels in Delhi, the guidelines of the Central Government’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) have been implemented. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed concern over the government’s over-dependence on the scheme and called for concrete emissions control action throughout the year. Ramesh said that the air pollution situation in Delhi worsens every year during the winter season, but the government’s response has been limited to only emergency measures.
He wrote on ‘X’ that GRAP-III has been implemented in Delhi. Between 2014 and 2017, the Supreme Court had approved this scheme in view of the air pollution crisis. It was expected that over time it would become less important as emissions would reduce throughout the year, but now it has become completely ‘reactive’.
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The Congress leader said that the government should focus on crisis prevention rather than crisis management. He warned that if current conditions continue, Delhi will still need to reduce its PM2.5 levels by more than 60% to meet national air quality standards. Ramesh said, ‘Delhi will have to take strict and multi-sectoral steps for clean air. These should not be limited to October-November only but should continue throughout the year.
What are the restrictions in Stage-III?
- Ban on construction and demolition activities
- Mechanical cleaning and water sprinkling of roads is mandatory
- Ban on industries using uncertified fuel
- Exemption to essential public projects (road, rail, airport)
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CAQM implements GRAP-III, pollution reaches ‘severe’ category
The Central Air Quality Management Commission on Tuesday implemented the third phase of GRAP in Delhi-NCR. According to the report, Delhi’s AQI was 362 on Monday, which reached 425 on Tuesday morning. CAQM said stagnant weather, cold winds and unstable atmospheric conditions are the main reasons for this pollution increase. The Commission said in its statement that in view of the current situation of air quality in Delhi-NCR, all the steps under Stage-III of GRAP are being implemented with immediate effect.
