NEW DELHI: With critical pollutants, PM2.5 and PM10, which persist at ‘severe +’ levels continuously for more than 48 hours in the national capital, the newly constituted Commission for Air Quality Management applied emergency measures on Tuesday under the ‘Gradual Response Action Plan’ (GRAP), stopping the entry of trucks into Delhi and banning construction activities until the situation improves.
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“GRAP is applied in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. A detailed address in this regard will be issued on Wednesday,” an official from the Environment Ministry said on behalf of the Commission. However, the decision on the introduction of an ‘even and odd’ scheme for private vehicles in the capital, which is one of the ‘severe +’ emergency measures under GRAP, will be made only after discussing the issue with the government of Delhi and NCR Peoples Transport Authorities.
Since schools are already closed due to the Covid situation, this measure under GRAP will not need consultation at this stage.
“The corporations and the traffic police of the NCR towns are being informed of the Commission’s decision,” said the official, referring to the agencies in charge of implementing GRAP.
GRAP measures have been applied as the average PM10 level persisted above 500 micrograms per cubic meter and the PM2.5 level persisted above 300 micrograms per cubic meter continuously for more than 48 hours.
According to the central control room, both levels reached the emergency point on Tuesday night, prompting the Commission to enforce the GRAP through the CPCB. The issue was discussed at the Commission meeting on Tuesday in the context of the continuing ‘severe’ AQI in NCR cities.
On video: Pollution: Construction activities, truck entry prohibited under GRAP in Delhi
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