Delhi-NCR Gears Up for Winter with Revised Air Pollution Action Plan

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has introduced a revamped Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the entire National Capital Region (NCR) to combat the severe air pollution levels that typically plague the region during winters. This updated GRAP is a comprehensive emergency response plan designed to proactively tackle deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.

Key Points of the Revised GRAP

• Unified Approach: The new GRAP applies to the entire NCR, ensuring a coordinated response across the region.
• Trigger: The plan is activated based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi. Different stages of the GRAP will be enforced through specific orders as the air quality fluctuates.
• Scientific Foundation: The revised GRAP is built on a strong foundation of scientific data, expert recommendations, and lessons learned from previous years’ experiences.
• Targeted Actions: The plan outlines specific actions that various agencies need to take when the AQI reaches or is projected to reach certain thresholds.
• Proactive Implementation: Using dynamic air quality models and weather forecasts, the GRAP can be invoked even before the AQI reaches critical levels, particularly if those levels are expected to persist for several days.

What this means for Delhi-NCR residents:

• Improved Air Quality: The revised GRAP aims to proactively mitigate air pollution, especially during the critical winter months.
• Clearer Communication: The plan outlines specific actions at different AQI levels, enabling better coordination among agencies and clearer communication to the public.
• Timely Action: The proactive implementation based on forecasts allows for timely interventions to prevent air quality from deteriorating further.

The key changes/ revisions in the GRAP schedule include the following:

Stage III – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (When Delhi’s AQI is between 401-450)

Actions to be Taken

Construction & Demolition Activities:

• Strict Ban: A complete ban will be enforced on highly polluting construction and demolition activities across the entire NCR. These include:
  • Digging and filling earth, including drilling
  • Piling work
  • All demolition work
  • Laying underground pipes and cables using open trenches
  • Bricklaying and masonry work
  • Concrete batching plant operations
  • Major welding and gas cutting
  • Painting, polishing, and similar activities
  • Cement, plaster, and other coating work (except minor indoor repairs)
  • Cutting, grinding, and fixing tiles or stones (except minor indoor repairs)
  • Waterproofing (except chemical waterproofing)
  • Major road construction and repairs
  • Moving dusty materials like cement, bricks, sand, etc.
  • Construction vehicles on unpaved roads
  • Transporting demolition waste
• Permitted Activities: Less polluting construction activities can continue, but they must strictly follow dust control rules and other regulations.
• Essential Projects: Certain crucial projects can continue even with the stricter rules, as long as they comply with all dust control and waste management regulations. These include:
  • Railway and metro projects
  • Airports and bus terminals
  • National security and defense projects
  • Hospitals and healthcare facilities
  • Major road and infrastructure projects (excluding open trench work)
  • Sanitation and water supply projects
  • Activities directly related to these projects

New Restrictions on Vehicles:

• Diesel Vehicles: Delhi-registered diesel medium goods vehicles (older than BS-III) will be restricted, except for those carrying essential goods or providing essential services
• Outside Vehicles: Older diesel light commercial vehicles (goods carriers) registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter, except for essential purposes
• Inter-State Buses: Only electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel buses from other NCR states can enter Delhi. Tourist buses with All India Permits are exempt

Additional Notes:

• The highlighted changes are just the main updates to the GRAP. For complete details, please visit the official CAQM website: caqm.nic.in
• This revised plan is designed to improve air quality during the challenging winter months in the NCR
• Citizens are also urged to follow the Citizen Charter to help control and prevent air pollution.

(Input: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2056075)