Delhi NCR Pollution Control: Major changes in GRAP rules to tackle rising pollution levels

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): To deal with the serious situation of air pollution in Delhi-NCR and its surrounding areas, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has made a major and important change in the rules of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The Commission has now shifted the pollution control measures one stage earlier. This simply means that the strict restrictions which were earlier imposed when the air quality reached the 'worst', will now be implemented as soon as the air quality deteriorates a little. According to this new order, the measures which till now were implemented under GRAP IV when the AQI was 'severe', will now be implemented in the GRAP III stage itself so that the situation can be controlled before it worsens.

According to new information released by the CAQM, since GRAP-4 measures will now be implemented under GRAP-3, state governments in the NCR will have the authority to direct 50% of employees in government, municipal, and private offices to work from home. Similarly, the central government can also decide to allow its office employees to work from home. This change has been made to reduce pollution from vehicles and other sources beforehand, rather than waiting for pollution levels to become dangerous.

Additionally, stricter measures have been implemented in other phases of GRAP. Measures previously implemented in GRAP 2 will now be implemented under GRAP 1. Once GRAP 1 is implemented, uninterrupted power supply will be ensured to prevent people from using generators. Additionally, more police personnel will be deployed at signal stations to reduce traffic congestion, and public transport services such as buses and metro will be increased. Meanwhile, the stricter measures of the previous GRAP 3 will now be implemented only in GRAP 2. Under the new GRAP 2, the Delhi government and the state governments of the NCR will stagger the opening and closing times of government offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar districts. State governments may also make similar decisions for other areas of the NCR.