Signalling the beginning of Delhi’s dreaded haze, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region with immediate effect for the first time this season, directing agencies to intensify pollution-control measures. It added that the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology had predicted AQI to remain in the ‘poor’ category in the coming days.
CAQM, which is tasked with controlling pollution in Delhi and its neighbouring areas, said the AQI was 244 at 4 pm-- the highest in 100 days. GRAP 1 measures entail periodic mechanised sweeping and sprinkling water on roads, dust mitigation at construction sites, proper waste management, strict checks on polluting vehicles, better traffic management, and emission control in industries, power plants, and brick kilns. According to the forecast by the Air Quality Early Warning System, a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second, along with an average wind speed of less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants.
GRAP 1 restrictions come into force when the AQI is between 201 and 300 (which is categorised as ‘Poor’), GRAP 2 restrictions when it is between 301 and 400 (‘Very Poor’), GRAP 3 between 401 and 450 (‘Severe’) and GRAP 4 when the AQI crosses 450 (‘Severe Plus’).
Earlier, at a meeting with CAQM, the concerned departments were directed to take prompt action on identified dust pollution issues and take strict action against the concerned officials and project proponent/ implementing agencies in cases of violation and ensure compliance. After the imposition of GRAP -1, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday claimed this is the first time in years that GRAP has been implemented so late in the season. He said the government was prepared with preventive measures, including restrictions on polluting vehicles, staggered office timings and work-from-home arrangements, to combat winter air pollution.
Sirsa said the government was adopting both short- and long-term measures under its 11-point air pollution mitigation plan, involving nearly 30 agencies working together to tackle pollution. Listing out some of the measures, Sirsa said vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will not get fuel, and parking charges will be doubled across Delhi, except at Metro parking facilities. Enforcement against end-of-life vehicles will also be strengthened. Staggered working hours as well as work-from-home arrangements will also be introduced for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and government offices to reduce vehicular movement.
The deterioration comes a day after Vijayadashami, when Ravan effigies were burnt at several locations across the city. However, no direct link has been established between the celebrations and the deterioration in air quality.
According to the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi, developed by IITM Pune, the contribution of the transport sector in Delhi is expected to decline from 20.513 per cent on Wednesday to 17.282 per cent on Thursday, before rising slightly to 18.171 per cent on Friday. Stubble burning contributed up to 8 per cent, while residential sources accounted for 5.2 per cent, peripheral industries 4.3 per cent, construction 2.8 per cent, waste burning 1.8 per cent, road dust 1.4 per cent and other sources 1.3 per cent.
The share from neighbouring industrial areas is also expected to vary over the next few days. The estimated contribution from Sonipat is projected to decline from 4.804 per cent on Wednesday to 2.643 per cent on Friday. In contrast, the contribution from another neighbouring industrial area, Ghaziabad, is forecast to rise from 3.04 per cent to 4.77 per cent over the same period.
The long-term measures include eliminating road dust through end-to-end road carpeting, promoting electric vehicles and phasing out polluting fuel-based industries in Delhi-NCR, Sirsa said. From November 1 to January 31, vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet the BS-VI emission standards will be barred from entering the city, with exemptions for CNG and electric vehicles. To reduce vehicular emissions and peak-hour congestion, 50 per cent of employees in government and private offices will work from home, while office timings will be staggered.