In view of the rising air pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-I).
The Commission stated that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 179 on Tuesday, which falls under the ‘moderate’ category. By 2:00 PM on Wednesday, it had risen to 244, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. According to forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, air quality is expected to remain in the ‘poor’ category in the coming days.
Under GRAP-I, the use of coal and firewood as fuel in the tandoors of hotels, restaurants, and open-air eateries has been prohibited. Additionally, the use of diesel generators is permitted only for emergency or essential purposes.
GRAP is a set of emergency measures implemented to prevent further deterioration of air quality. Under this framework, the first stage is triggered when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is between 201 and 300; the second stage applies when it is between 301 and 400; and the third stage is implemented when it ranges between 401 and 450. The fourth stage comes into effect if the AQI exceeds 450.
