GRAP-1 has been imposed across Delhi-NCR after the region’s air quality deteriorated to the poor category, bringing tighter monitoring of construction sites, waste burning, road dust and vehicle pollution. The order was issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management after Delhi’s Air Quality Index reached 233 at around 9 am and 244 by 2 pm on 21 October.
The AQI had stood at 179, in the moderate category, on 20 October. The sharp rise prompted the Commission’s sub-committee to activate all actions under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan across the National Capital Region. Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicate that air quality is expected to remain in the poor category in the coming days, according to the report.
Under GRAP-1, construction and demolition sites must implement measures to prevent dust from spreading. Construction and demolition waste must be removed properly, and agencies can take action against sites that violate the applicable requirements. Anti-smog guns are also required to be operated at construction sites where prescribed measures apply.
The Stage-I measures do not amount to an automatic blanket ban on all construction activity. Instead, the focus is on enforcing dust-control measures, monitoring sites and ensuring that debris does not accumulate or become a source of additional particulate pollution.
Open burning of waste has also been prohibited. Municipal bodies have been directed to ensure the regular lifting of solid waste and construction debris, prevent the spread of dust and garbage in open areas, and enforce the ban on burning waste in the open. Road-cleaning measures include mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling to reduce dust from roads and exposed surfaces.
The order also directs agencies to enforce existing National Green Tribunal and Supreme Court requirements relating to older petrol and diesel vehicles. The revised GRAP-1 provisions include restrictions on the entry of BS-IV and lower-emission-standard buses arriving from the NCR and adjoining states. Traffic police will intensify action against vehicles without valid pollution-under-control certificates, with violations liable to attract fines.
The directions apply across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The order, issued by R K Agrawal, member-convener and director (technical) of the sub-committee, has been sent to the chief secretaries, transport departments, pollution-control boards and police commissioners of the concerned jurisdictions.
All relevant agencies have been instructed to implement, monitor and review the Stage-I actions immediately so that the AQI does not deteriorate further. Residents have also been asked to follow the GRAP citizen charter and support measures intended to reduce pollution across the region.
