Delhi air quality enters very poor category as CAQM invokes GRAP Stage 2
The Commission for Air Quality Management has activated Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan across the National Capital Region.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday. This follows a sharp decline in Delhi's air quality, which reached a 'very poor' Air Quality Index (AQI) of 324 by 4pm on Monday, according to reports from Hindustan Times, Mint, and ANI.
The CAQM sub-committee made the decision after reviewing air quality data and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). The commission stated that the AQI has increased due to unfavourable meteorological conditions and predicted that levels would remain 'very poor' in the coming days.
Under the Stage 2 measures, authorities in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar must implement staggered office timings for municipal and government employees. Other directives include increasing parking fees to reduce private vehicle use and requiring Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to supply electric heaters to security, sanitation, and horticulture staff to stop the open burning of waste.
Additional pollution controls include intensified mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling with dust suppressants, particularly on heavy-traffic routes. Authorities will also increase inspections at construction and demolition sites and at identified pollution hotspots.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced 20 extra weekday train trips starting Tuesday to encourage public transport use. Meanwhile, meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya noted that stubble burning and wind conditions are contributing to the pollution, warning that 'severe' AQI readings could occur within three days.