The National Capital Region (NCR) authorities have been urged to implement measures under Phase 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) more strictly. This is because the air quality in Delhi has reached a ‘bad’ level. One of the measures includes prohibiting the use of coal in roadside restaurants, motels, and restaurants. The Centre’s sub-committee on GRAP stated that there has been a sudden decrease in air quality in the region in the past 24 hours, with Delhi’s AQI reaching 212 (poor category).
The Air Quality Management Commission has emphasized the importance of implementing Phase 1 of GRAP immediately across the entire NCR to prevent further deterioration of air quality. GRAP is a series of anti-air pollution measures implemented in the Delhi-NCR region during the winter season. It categorizes activities into four phases. Under Phase 1, authorities are required to take legal action against polluting industrial units. The implementation of GRAP in Delhi-NCR began on October 1.
The first phase of GRAP started on Friday. The system imposes restrictions in four stages. Initially, there was a ban on using diesel generators. However, the Tourism Ministry recently allowed the use of diesel generators of all capacities and classifications across the entire NCR, including Delhi, from October 1 to December 31. This exception is provided as a one-time privilege before implementing GRAP. The Air Quality Management Commission made this decision for emergency services under certain conditions. Operators of DG sets used in emergency services and residential societies will be allowed to operate them during this period with pollution control measures.
From January 1 of next year, only retrofitted and specially designed DG sets that reduce air pollution will be permitted. Every year, the NCR, including Delhi, suffers from air pollution from October to December, and DG sets contribute significantly to this issue. The Commission has clarified that there will be exemptions for the use of DG sets in various sectors, including residential and commercial buildings, medical services, hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare facilities, railway services, railway stations, Metro Rail and MTRS services, airports, inter-state bus terminals, sewage treatment plants, water pumping stations, national security projects, telecommunication and IT data services, and other listed emergency services.
