Bad Times For Delhi: AQI Set To Worsen By Saturday. GRAP Stage 2 Banning Coal, Firewood In Eateries Enforced

 Delhi-NCR Air Quality: The air quality in Delhi-NCR is forecast to deteriorate further as the AQI is predicted to move into the 'Very Poor' category from October 22.

Smog Engulfing Delhi

Source : Getty

New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management Wednesday ordered stage two of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to be enacted as "very poor" air quality was predicted in Delhi-NCR by Saturday. Stage two includes banning the use of coal and firewood in hotels, restaurants, and open eateries. The use of diesel generators, except for essential services, is also banned.

GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the national capital and its vicinity in view of the severity of the situation. It is classified under four stages of adverse air quality in Delhi. Stage one pertains to 'poor' air quality (AQI 201-300); stage two to 'very poor' air quality (AQI 301-400); stage three to 'severe' air quality (AQI 401-450), and stage four is for 'severe plus' (AQI >450).

The sub-committee constituted to invoke actions under GRAP reviewed the air quality situation in the NCR region at a meeting on Wednesday.

Under State II of GARP, mechanical sweeping of roads to be done, coal-fired ovens in restaurants & hotels to be shut, general use of diesel-powered generators to be prohibited, parking charges for private vehicles to be increased & use of buses & metros to be promoted

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2022

They noted that there is a forecast for deterioration of air quality over Delhi and the air quality index (AQI) may move into the 'very poor' category from October 22, due to calm winds and the stable atmospheric condition predicted over the capital from Saturday, the (Commission for Air Quality Management) CAQM stated in an order, as reported by news agency PTI.

"Also, the Diwali festival on October 24 is expected to worsen the situation further. Therefore, to prevent the deterioration of the air quality further, the subcommittee decided that all actions as envisaged under Stage II of GRAP -- 'very poor' air quality (Delhi AQI 3O1-4OO) -- be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned, with immediate effect in the NCR in addition to all actions under Stage I,"  the order read, as quoted by PTI.

As previously mentioned, the use of coal and firewood in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, and open eateries is not allowed under stage two.

Use of diesel generators will also not be allowed except for essential services related to national security, defence-related activities, projects of national importance, telecommunication, data services, medical, railway and metro rail services, airports, inter-state bus terminals, sewage treatment plants, and water pumping stations.

The authorities also hike parking fees to discourage private transport and increase the frequency of bus and metro services.

Other measures usually taken under stage two include vacuum-based sweeping of roads every day, water sprinkling to prevent dust pollution, and strict implementation of dust control measures at construction and demolition sites.

Delhi's air quality continued to be in the poor category for the fourth consecutive day on Wednesday. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 228 at 4 pm.

On Wednesday, at least six out of the 35 monitoring stations in the city recorded the air quality in the "very poor" category. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401, and 500 severe. 

(With Agency Inputs)