The Sub-Committee for Invoking Actions Under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas conducted an emergency meeting on Saturday to address the NCR’s poor air quality, as per a statement issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
During the conference, the Commission noted that due to unfavourable meteorological circumstances with slower wind speed and a sudden surge in agricultural fire occurrences, it is considered necessary to execute Stage III of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect throughout the entire NCR.
“As per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast, the overall air quality over Delhi is likely to remain in Very Poor to Severe category from 29.10.2022 and 30.10.2022. The air quality is likely to deteriorate and remain in Severe category from 31.10.2022 to 01.11.2022 and for the subsequent 6 Days, the air quality is likely to fluctuate between Severe to Very Poor category.”
“The winds are forecasted to be CALM in the coming days and the wind direction is likely to change course frequently. Thus, there is a high likelihood of the pollutants getting trapped in the region and not getting dispersed effectively”, the statement said.
The Sub-committee reviewed the air quality scenario in the region exhaustively and noted that the air quality parameters are likely to dip in the coming days. In order to address the AQI of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-committee today took the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage III of the GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450), today with immediate effect in the entire NCR, as per the statement.
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According to the statement, this is in addition to the limiting acts stated in GRAP Stages I and II. Various authorities in charge of implementing GRAP measures, as well as the NCR and DPCC Pollution Control Boards (PCBs), have been asked to guarantee strict implementation of GRAP Stage III actions during this time period.
To prevent further deterioration of air quality, the GRAP Sub-Committee decides to invoke Stage III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
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— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) October 29, 2022
Furthermore, the CAQM urged NCR inhabitants to help implement GRAP by following the measures outlined in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. Citizens are encouraged to:
“Choose a cleaner commute: carpool, take public transportation, walk or cycle to work. People whose jobs allow them to work from home may do so. Do not use coal or wood to heat your home. Individual property owners may supply electric heaters to security personnel (during the winter) to discourage open burning. Combine errands to cut down on travels. Whenever feasible, walk to errands,” the statement suggested.
Apart from that, a 9-point action plan as per Stage III of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect from today in the whole NCR. This 9-pointaction plan comprises procedures to be implemented/ guaranteed by several agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC.