Amid forecast of very poor air, Grap stage 2 in effect
THE WORRY IS THAT AIR QUALITY MAY WORSEN ON DIWALI, WHEN PEOPLE MAY VIOLATE THE CRACKER BAN IN DELHI
NEW DELHI: With forecasts showing that Delhi’s air quality may touch the “very poor” category by October 22, a subcommittee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday said that measures under Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) were being introduced across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.
Stage 2 of the Grap, a plan that aims to curb the annual pollution spike in the NCR, lists 12 measures, including a ban on diesel generator sets across NCR (barring those for emergency and essential services) and a ban on the use of coal and firewood, including in tandoors. Other measures include asking agencies to enhance parking fees across NCR to discourage the use of private transport, as well as the need for agencies to carry out the augmentation of public transport (Cng/electric buses and metro) by either procuring additional fleet or increasing the frequency of services.
The CAQM subcommittee convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday after forecasts by the Early
Warning System (EWS) under the Union ministry of earth sciences showed that the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi will may touch the “very poor” level by October 22 and could remain in this category for the subsequent six days.
The worry is that the air quality may worsen on Diwali (October 24), when people may violate the firecracker ban in Delhi to celebrate the festival. To be sure, so-called green crackers are allowed in Gurugram, Noida and Ghaziabad in any case.
“In the meeting, it was noted that there is a forecast for deteriorating of air quality in Delhi and the AQI may move into the “very poor” category from October 22, which is likely to be the result of calm wind conditions. Also, Diwali on October 24 is expected to worsen the situation further. Therefore, in an effort to prevent further deterioration in AQI, the subcommittee has decided that all actions as envisaged under Stage II of the Grap’s ‘Very Poor’ category need to be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned and with immediate effect,” the CAQM said in an order.
Delhi’s air quality actually showed an improvement on Wednesday, recording an AQI of 228, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily national bulletin. In comparison, it was 241 on Tuesday and 237 on Monday.
VK Soni, scientist at IMD and part of the CAQM subcommittee, said calm winds were already starting to influence air quality at night. “By October 22, winds will become calm and lead to pollutants accumulating. Added emissions from sources like vehicles and firecrackers may further worsen the AQI by Diwali, but at the same time the wind direction will ensure stubble burning does not impact,” he said.
Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, said it was important that pre-emptive action was being taken this year. “However, like all measures and plans, it will depend on enforcement on the ground and how effectively teams are able to ensure compliance,” she said.