Delhi: From Banning Firecrackers To Dust Control At Construction Sites, Anti-Pollution Plan Implemented In The City For Diwali

On October 14, the AQI of Delhi was categorised as ‘poor’ for the second day in a row. Taking note of the worsening air quality of the capital, the Centre’s air pollution control panel directed the authorities to implement the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. This 27-point action anti-pollution plan came into effect on October 15 across Delhi and National Capital Region starting at 8 AM. Read on to know more about it.

Stage 1 Of GRAP Implemented In Delhi-NCR To Control Pollution

As the air quality in Delhi-NCR worsens and pollution level rises, the concerned authorities in state governments have been directed to implement GRAP-I. As per an NDTV report, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 281 as of 6.20 AM on October 15. Furthermore, the 24-hour average AQI of the national capital stood at 234.

After reviewing forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Stage 1 of this anti-pollution plan was implemented across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Reportedly, GRAP is divided into four stages based on air quality –

1. Stage 1 – Poor (AQI 201-300)
2. Stage 2 – Very Poor (AQI 301-400)
3. Stage 3 – Severe (AQI 401-450)
4. Stage 4 – Severe Plus (AQI >450)

Also Read: Check Out 17 Irresistible New Menus In Mumbai, Delhi, And More Cities This Month

What Is Banned In This Anti-Pollution Plan

Stage 1 of GRAP aims to mitigate pollution before it escalates further in Delhi. As per the NDTV report, here’s what is banned under this anti-pollution plan –

1. Dust control at construction sites.
2. Strict checks on polluting vehicles and emission controls in industries, including power plants.
3. Improved waste management to control pollution in Delhi.
4. Bans on open waste burning and limited use of diesel generators.
5. No coal or firewood usage in eateries.
6. Prohibition on construction/demolition projects over 500 square metres.
7. Ban on 10-15 year old diesel/petrol vehicles.
8. Ban on firecrackers until January 1, 2025 to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
9. No tolerance for visible emissions.
10. Deployment of traffic police in congested areas.

Also Read: West Delhi Police Seizes Cocaine Worth ₹2,400 Crore In ‘Namkeen Packets;’ Biggest Drug Recovery By Any Unit In India

We hope this plan will help improve the worsening pollution situation and air quality of Delhi. Share your two cents on this in the comments section.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva & Flickr (representative image)