Today, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 424 as per the AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In wake of deteriorating air quality of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan met today. The Sub-Committee while comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/IITM during the meeting noted that the AQI of Delhi started improving since late night, which saw an episodic hike in AQI yesterday owing to highly adverse metrological and climate conditions. However, it remained stagnant since morning today and was hovering around 425 mark, due to continued heavy fog and unfavourable meteorological conditions over the Indo-Gangetic Plain including Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, etc. Further forecasts from IMD/ IITM also indicate the likelihood of the AQI of Delhi to remain in the higher end of ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days.

Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-III of revised GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (AQI ranging between 401-450), w.e.f. 08:00 AM of 15^th November, 2024 (tomorrow) in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under in Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP already in-force in NCR. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-III of GRAP in addition to actions under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP during this period. In 2023, Stage-III of GRAP was invoked on 02^nd day of November, whereas this year Stage-III of GRAP has been required to be invoked at a much later date in the winter season during 2024.

An 11-point action plan as per Stage-III of GRAP is applicable w.e.f. 08:00 AM of 15^th November, 2024 (tomorrow) in the entire NCR. This 11-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC. These steps are:

1. Further intensify the frequency of mechanised sweeping of roads.
2. Ensure daily water sprinkling along with dust suppressants, before peak traffic hours, on roads and right of ways including hotspots, heavy traffic corridors and ensure proper disposal of the collected dust in designated sites/ landfills.
3. Further intensify public transport services. Introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.
4. Construction & Demolition activities:

(i) Enforce strict ban on the following categories of dust generating/ air pollution causing C&D activities in the entire NCR:

• Earthwork for excavation and filling including boring & drilling works.
• Piling works.
• All demolition works.
• Laying of sewer line, water line, drainage and electric cabling etc. by open trench system.
• Brick / masonry works.
• Operation of RMC batching plant.
• Major welding and gas-cutting operations. Minor welding activities for MEP (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) works to be, however, permitted. 
• Painting, polishing and varnishing works etc.
• Cement, Plaster / other coatings, except for minor indoor repairs/maintenance.
• Cutting / grinding and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials, except for minor indoor repairs/maintenance.
• Water Proofing work (Excluding Chemical water proofing).
• Road construction activities and major repairs.
• Transfer, loading / unloading of dust generating materials like cement, fly-ash, bricks, sand, murram, pebbles, crushed stone etc. anywhere within / outside the project sites.
• Movement of vehicles carrying construction materials on unpaved roads.
• Any transportation of demolition waste.

(ii) All construction related activities, other than those listed under 4(i) above, which are relatively less polluting / less dust generating shall be permitted to be continued in the NCR, subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time.

(iii) All C&D related activities, including those under 4(i) above, shall be continued to be permitted only for the following categories of projects, however subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time:

1. Projects for Railway services and stations
2. Projects for Metro Rail Services and stations
3. Airports and Inter State Bus Terminals
4. National security/ defence related activities/ projects of national importance;
5. Hospitals/ health care facilities
6. Linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission/ distribution, pipelines, tele-communication services (Only for non-open trench works) etc.
7. Sanitation projects like sewage treatment plants and water supply projects etc.
8. Ancillary activities, specific to and supplementing the above project categories.

5. Close down operations of stone crushers in the entire NCR.
6. Close down all mining and associated activities in the entire NCR.
7. NCR State Govts. / GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.
8. GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi - registered Diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs), of BS-III standards or below, in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
9. GNCTD to not permit BS-III and below diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers) registered outside Delhi, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
10. Do not permit Inter-State buses from NCR states other than EVs/CNG/BS-VI diesel, to enter Delhi (excluding buses /Tempo travelers operated with All India Tourist Permit).
11. State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to Class V and conducting classes in an online mode. 

Further, CAQM appeals to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter of GRAP Stage- III as under, in addition to steps under Citizen Charter of Stages I & II of GRAP. Citizens are advised to:

• Walk or use cycles for small distances.
• Choose a cleaner commute. Share a ride to work or use public transport.
• People, whose positions allow working from home, may work from home.
• Do not use coal and wood for heating purpose.
• Individual house owners may provide electric heaters (during winters) to security staff to avoid open burning.
• Combine errands and reduce trips.

The revised schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s website and can be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in

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VM/GS