AQI increases to 357, Stage III GRAP Action Plan to Continue

Air Quality Index checks 357 leading to the continuation of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan by the Commission of Air Quality Management in the NCR and the adjoining areas.

The subcommittee met for a review meeting to discuss the prevailing conditions of Delhi and adjoining areas. Due to the low wind speeds and erratic weather conditions the AQI is increasing in Delhi and nearby areas, which is the reason for continuation of stage 3 of GRAP.

Real time AQI reports state Nehru Nagar with the AQI of 350 today whereas Anand Vihar marked 335 and RK Puram at 323. The subcommittee is to keep a close eye at the situation and review required actions on the regular basis. 

Since October end there has been an alarming AQI increase in Delhi and NCR as well as adjoining areas. The GRAP stage 3 includes, ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities, certain harmful fuel run cars along with usage of harmful fuels like coal.

The GRAP Stage 3 plan also includes Intensified vacuum sweeping of the streets, sprinkling of water around traffic hotspots to disperse dust particle concentration, introduction of incentivized off-peak travels for promotion. 

The GRAP order of last month read: “Accordingly, a 9-point action plan as per Stage III of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect from today in the entire NCR in addition to preventive/ restrictive actions of Stage I and Stage II of the GRAP which are already in place. This 9-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and PCBs of NCR and DPCC.” This plan has been in action since November hardly without any ease.