New Delhi, October 19 (Udaipur Kiran): The air quality in the national capital worsened further on Saturday, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to swiftly activate Stage-2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) rose from 296 (‘Poor’) in the afternoon to 300–302 (‘Very Poor’) by 7 p.m. With stagnant winds, temperature inversion, and high local emissions, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecast that the “very poor” air quality category (301–400 AQI) is likely to persist for the coming days.
In an emergency meeting, CAQM’s GRAP sub-committee reviewed the pollution data and unanimously decided to implement 12 additional measures under Stage-2, building on the ongoing Stage-1 actions.
Under the new restrictions, pollution control boards of NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and close monitoring.
Key measures under GRAP Stage-2 include:
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Daily mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling on main roads and traffic corridors, especially during non-peak hours.
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Accelerated waste disposal from roadside dust collection.
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Intensified checks at construction and demolition sites to prevent dust and debris emissions.
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Targeted interventions at pollution hotspots across Delhi and NCR.
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Restriction on diesel generator (DG) sets, except for essential services such as hospitals, railways, metro, airports, sewage plants, water pumping stations, national security installations, and telecommunications — as per the September 29, 2023 directive.
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Deployment of additional traffic personnel at busy intersections to improve vehicle flow and reduce idling emissions.
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Public advisories and alerts through media to inform citizens about pollution levels and health precautions.
Authorities have been instructed to closely monitor implementation and report daily compliance to the CAQM.
With winter approaching and pollution levels expected to worsen, experts have emphasized immediate action from both agencies and citizens to mitigate air quality deterioration.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
