New Delhi: In response to a drastic deterioration in Delhis air quality, the sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) promptly initiated stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. This move came as Delhis average Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 409, re-entering the severe zone after a 28-day hiatus.Stringent vehicle regulationsThe sub-committee mandated the prohibition of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, along with key districts like Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. These restrictions aim to curb vehicular emissions contributing to the worsening air quality.Comprehensive activity bansThe ban extends beyond vehicular restrictions to encompass construction and demolition activities, stone crushers, and mining-related operations. These measures, enforced starting Saturday morning, underline the severity of the air quality situation.Shifting to online classesAcknowledging the severity of the situation, CAQM empowered state governments in Delhi and NCR to decide on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to Class V. The emphasis is on transitioning to online classes to mitigate the exposure of young children to the hazardous air.Enhancing public transport To alleviate the impact of vehicular restrictions, the commission urged officials to enhance public transport services. Variable rates, encouraging off-peak travel, were proposed as part of the efforts to reduce congestion during peak hours.Balanced approach to construction bansWhile the ban on construction and demolition activities is pivotal for curbing pollution, concerns have arisen about its impact on daily-wage labourers. CAQM recognised this and exempted specific categories such as railway services, Metro services, airports, inter-state bus terminals, national security or defence-related projects, hospitals, linear public projects, and sanitation projects from the ban.Selective exemptionsCertain non-polluting and non-dust generating activities like plumbing, interior decoration, electrical works, and carpentry were exempted from the construction ban, ensuring a balanced approach.Meteorological contributorsCAQM attributed the sudden spike in Delhis AQI to unfavorable meteorological conditions, including fog, haze, and low wind speed. GRAP 3 measures were swiftly implemented to address this situation.Strategic implementationAnumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), emphasised the need for stringent efforts to reduce local emissions from key sources during severe smog episodes typical of late December and early January.GRAP 3: A strategic implementationAs Delhi-NCR grapples with challenging air quality conditions, the strategic implementation of GRAP 3 measures demonstrates a commitment to public health. Balancing vehicular restrictions, construction bans, and educational transitions, the collaborative efforts aim to build resilience against the pressing issue of air pollution.
