The air quality index of the national capital city Delhi has crossed the mark of 200 leading the central government to put a complete ban on the use of coal and firewood in restaurants, hotels, and eateries. In addition, the government also imposed a ban on the plying of overage vehicles. Diesel generators have been banned in Delhi. The Indian government recommended a set of anti-air pollution measures to be followed in Delhi in the winter season. Notably, GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) also came into force in Delhi on Sunday, October 1, 2023. Ahead of the winter season and Diwali festival, the Commission for Air Quality Management has been tasked to improve the air quality index of Delhi. However, the transport and commercial vehicles are likely to face challenges in Delhi NCR. Let’s analyze this force development that happened in Delhi-NCR. Delve deep into the details.
CAQM Tasked To Improve Delhi’s AQI
An autonomous body, the Commission for Air Quality Management has been ordered to improve the air quality index of the national capital, Delhi, and its adjoining areas. Therefore, CAQM last year amended the GRAP and again in July this year in a bid to tide over the changing circumstances. CAQM is a statutory body that was formed in 2021 under an Act. It amended the GRAP two times, first in July last year and second time in July this year, to ensure proactive implementation of anti-air pollution steps.
In an attempt to improve the air quality index of Delhi, the authorities earlier followed some measures including the ban on construction and demolition works, the use of coal and firewood in restaurants and hotels, entre of high-emission vehicles in the capital city, after the pollution level crossed the threshold mark. From October 1, the authorities made some forced changes. What are they? Learn in the following section.
Measures To Follow In Delhi From Oct 1 To Improve AQI
The government put strict restrictions on the plying of too old vehicles. A complete ban has been imposed on the use of firewood and coal in restaurants, hotels, and eateries. BS IV diesel and BS III petrol four-wheel vehicles will be immediately banned in Delhi, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, and Faridabad if the AQI (Air Quality Index) crosses the mark of 400. GRAP is classified under 4 stages, 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).