Graded Response Action Plan, which has come into effect for the second year, ensures stringent actions are taken based on the air quality
Delhi's battle with deteriorating air continues as stubble burning in adjoining Haryana and Punjab led to spike in Air Quality Index, touching the 246 mark on Monday. The Central Pollution Control Board slots these figures in the 'poor' category. Primary pollutants were PM 10 and PM 2.5. Of the 15 days in October, the city has faced poor air quality for nine days.
Dry weather in the capital with no wind activity, is acting as a deterrent for pollutants from stubble burning to disperse. Many areas in Delhi like Dwarka, Anand Vihar, NSIT Dwarka, Wazirpur recorded 'very poor' air with alarmingly high AQIs. Anand Vihar witnessed an AQI of 314, Dwarka was 343, Wazirpur 332 and NSIT Dwarka also breathed in 'very poor'air having an AQI of 321. Experts have suggested that with zero wind speed and burning of paddy straw in Punjab and Haryana, air quality will plunge further to very poor category in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the Delhi government started an emergency contingency plan to combat the relentless onslaught of pollution and 'very poor'and 'severe'air quality from Monday under the Graded Response Action Plan(Grap). For instance, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (Epca), which enforces Grap has banned use of diesel gensets in Delhi, allowing the use only in NCR where power outages are common. The EPCA may ban construction activity if the AQI reaches the 'severe'mark.
MEASURES TAKEN
- Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which has come into effect for the second year, ensures stringent actions are taken based on the air quality
- Under the plan, measures like mechanised sweeping of roads, ban on garbage burning, pollution control measures at brick kilns
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