Weather forecasts and meteorological conditions by the weather agency have also predicted Delhi's average AQI to mainly remain in the 'poor' category in the days to come.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas on Tuesday invoked the 27-point action plan under the anti-pollution GRAP stage- I, as Delhi' s average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 211, falling in the 'poor' category.
The CAQM Sub-Committee on the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) took stock of the air quality in Delhi- NCR, as well as the air quality forecast made available by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
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Weather forecasts and meteorological conditions by the weather agency have also predicted Delhi's average AQI to mainly remain in the 'poor' category in the days to come.
"Actions under Stage-I of the extant GRAP shall be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all the agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further," CAQM stated.
The commission has asked all of the implementing agencies to keep a strict vigil and intensify measures that are part of the GRAP- I schedule.
GRAP- I schedule includes strict compliance to not permit Construction and Demolition activities in respect of such projects with plot size equal to or more than 500 sqm which are not registered on the 'web portal' of the respective state/ GNCTD, or those that do not fulfill other requirements of dust mitigation measures.
The stage-I curbs of the anti- pollution plan also make it mandatory for lifting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), C&D waste, and hazardous wastes from dedicated dump sites and ensure that no waste is dumped illegally in open land areas.
It also instructs to conduct periodic mechanized sweeping and water sprinkling on roads and ensure scientific disposal of dust collected at designated sites.
Strict vigilance and enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles, and no tolerance for visible emissions are also part of the GRAP- I actions as defined by the commission.
Agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP include Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR States and DPCC, which has been asked to ensure the plan is implemented without fail.
The Sub-Committee shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decisions, depending upon the air quality in Delhi and forecasts made by IMD and IITM.
Further, CAQM has urged the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps like keeping engines of vehicles properly tuned, keep PUC certificates of vehicles up to date, and prefer hybrid vehicles or EVs to control vehicular pollution.