New Delhi, Oct 14 (UNI) After Dussehra celebrations in Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped into the poor quality category, with pollution levels registering a reading of 234 on Monday, according to the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
In wake of the air quality of Delhi recording ‘Poor’ air quality category ranging between 201-300, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) met today to take stock of the current air quality of Delhi-NCR, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said.
After comprehensively reviewing the air quality situation in the region, along with the forecast provided by IMD and IITM, it was noted that air quality parameters had significantly declined over the past 24 hours, pushing Delhi’s AQI into the “Poor” category. Forecasts predict that air quality will remain in this range in the coming days, due to unfavorable meteorological conditions.
Therefore, the Sub-Committee unanimously decided to implement all measures under Stage-I of GRAP, applicable when the AQI falls between 201-300, starting at 8:00 AM on 15th October 2024 across the NCR.
As per this decision, all 27 actions outlined in Stage-I of GRAP will be enforced by the relevant agencies, including the Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), to ensure strict compliance during this period.
Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR States and Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) have been addressed to ensure strict implementation of actions of Stage-I under GRAP during this period.
The Sub-Committee also urged citizens of the NCR to cooperate by following the Citizen Charter of Stage-I of GRAP.
Further, the Sub-Committee also urges the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter of Stage I of GRAP.
Key recommendations include keeping vehicle engines properly tuned, maintaining correct tyre pressure, ensuring Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates are up to date, avoiding idling vehicles, turning off engines at red lights, and opting for hybrid or electric vehicles to reduce vehicular pollution.
The 27-point action plan under Stage-I of GRAP will come into effect from 8:00 AM on 15th October 2024 across the NCR. This 27-point action plan contains steps to be implemented by various agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and DPCC.
