Stage III of GRAP revoked with immediate effect in entire NCR as overall AQI improves

15 JAN 2023 6:09PM by PIB DelhiDelhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 213 today as per the 4PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In view of remarkable improvement in the overall AQIof Delhi since invocation of Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and also considering the meteorological/ weather forecasts by IITM/ IMD, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under GRAP of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to review the current air quality scenario. While reviewing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR and other aspects, the Sub-Committee noted that forecasts by IMD/ IITM do not indicatethe overall AQI of Delhito slip into ‘Severe’ category in the coming days and is likely to fluctuate between ‘Poor’and‘Very Poor’categories. Therefore,it is felt advisable to relax the stringent restrictions and roll back Stage-III of GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR.The overall AQI of Delhi has remarkably improved from the level of 434 (‘Severe’ category) observed on 09.01.2023to213 (‘Poor’ category) recorded today(15.01.2023). Thepreventive/restrictive measures under Stage-III of GRAP invoked on 06.01.2023 (when Delhi’s overall AQI reached 400)might have also helped stabilizing the AQI levels thus improving the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR. Forecast by IMD/ IITM also does not predict the AQI levels reaching the ‘Severe’ category in the coming days.Based on earlier decisions of the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under GRAP, preventive/ restrictive actions up to Stage-III of GRAP are already in force vide order dated October 5, 2022 for Stage-I; order dated October 19, 2022 for Stage-II; and order dated January 6, 2023 for Stage-III respectively. Stage III & Stage IV of GRAP have been imposed and thereafter revoked from time to time by the GRAP Sub-Committee based on the prevalent air quality scenario in Delhi.Furthermore, as the actions under GRAP especially from Stage-III to Stage-IV are essentially an emergency response and are disruptive in nature impacting a large stratum of society, the Sub-Committee, accordingly decided to revoke the order, issued vide dated 06th January, 2023 for implementation of actions under Stage-III of GRAP with immediate effect.Allactions under Stage-I to Stage-II of GRAP shall however remain invoked and be implemented, intensified, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR does not deteriorate further in the coming days. All implementing agencies shall keep strict vigil and especially intensify measures under Stage I & II of GRAP which include the following:Mechanical/vacuum-based sweeping of roads to be carried out on a daily basis.Ensure water sprinkling along with use of dust suppressants (at least every alternateday) on roads to arrest road dust especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, vulnerable areas (before peak hours) and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.Regular inspection and strict enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites.Do not allow coal / firewood including in Tandoors in Hotels, Restaurants and open eateries.Ensure hotels, restaurants and open eateries use only electricity / clean fuel gas-based appliancesEnhance Parking fees to discourage private transport andBan use of Diesel Generators except for emergent and essential services and regulate their use for industrial applications as per Directions No. 54 to 57 dated 08.02.2022.