Apart from the existing restrictions like the ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers and construction activity under stage III, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the national capital region (NCR) and adjoining areas has added a prohibition on interstate buses running on non-cleaner fuels, BS-III or below diesel-operated light commercial vehicles, and heavy goods vehicles in Delhi.
This is the first time when the commission has decided to implement GRAP depending on the higher projected AQI levels for longer periods. The restrictions will consider AQI and the forecast by India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. “Actions under stages II, III and IV of GRAP will be invoked in advance of AQI reaching the projected levels of that stage and also provided that the higher projected AQI levels are likely to sustain for longer periods (say three days or more),” CAQM stated.
“While this is increasing the degree of stringency, its implementation will require preparedness and a strategy,” pointed out Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at Centre for Science and Environment.
Since construction and demolition activities in the entire NCR are banned in stage III when AQI is between 400 and 450, the revised GRAP clarifies that among the dust-generating activities, which will continue to be prohibited, are major welding and gas-cutting operations; cement, plaster or other coatings, except for minor indoor repairs/maintenance; cutting or grinding and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials, except for minor indoor repairs; and waterproofing work and transfer, loading or unloading of dust-generating materials like cement, fly ash, bricks, sand, murram, pebbles, crushed stone, etc., anywhere within or outside the project sites.
However, on the lines of previous years, linear public projects, emergency projects, sanitation, national importance, ancillary activities and non-dust generating activities will be exempted under stage III. Besides, under stage II of GRAP, when AQI is between 300 and 400, there will be no restriction on diesel generator sets of 62kV to less than 800kV, which are running on dual-fuel mode or retro-fitted emission-control devices through certified agencies.
“CAQM announces a revised GRAP schedule to further strengthen measures to combat sudden or anticipated deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR during the upcoming winter season. GRAP has been formulated after careful consideration of scientific data, stakeholder inputs and expert recommendations along with field experience and learnings in the past years,” the commission stated.
GRAP is an emergency response mechanism for the entire NCR, based on average AQI levels in Delhi, which brings together multiple stakeholders, implementing agencies and authorities to respond to the situations of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.
“The revised GRAP schedule will come into force in the entire NCR now and different stages will be imposed accordingly through specific orders issued from time to time as per the air quality conditions of the region. It shall serve as a tool towards abatement of adverse air quality in NCR generally witnessed during the peak winter months,” said CAQM.
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