Delhi: Air pollution plan from Oct. 1

New Delhi: The revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with air pollution in Delhi-NCR this winter will come into force from October 1, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). An expert group constituted by the CAQM had suggested revisions to the existing GRAP that comprises measures to be taken when the air quality worsens in the National Capital Region. This year, the GRAP will be implemented differently — it will be preemptive and will be invoked three days in advance of the air quality reaching a certain level based on forecasts. In previous years, GRAP was invoked when particulate matter — PM 2.5 and PM 10 — concentrations stayed above 300 and 500 micrograms per cubic metre for 48 hours or more. The sub-committee on GRAP will now be meeting frequently to plan for advance action and issue necessary orders for invoking various provisions of GRAP, based on the prevalent air quality and the AQI forecast to be provided by the India Meteorological Department from time to time. The new plan will entail a ban on BS-IV four-wheeler diesel vehicles, barring those engaged in essential services, in Delhi and the bordering districts of NCR if the air quality index breaches the 450 mark. The GRAP, notified by the ministry of environment and forests in 2017, will come into force from October 15 when air pollution levels in the region start worsening. According to a communication sent to state agencies and departments concerned, the CAQM has now decided to implement it from October 1. The GRAP for Delhi-NCR has now been classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I – Poor (AQI 201-300); Stage II – Very Poor (AQI 301-400); Stage III – Severe (AQI 401-450) and Stage IV – Severe Plus (AQI >450). The revised GRAP recommends a ban on the use of coal and firewood, including in tandoors.