As Delhi NCR air quality worsens, 27-point GRAP Stage 1 restrictions in force

Delhi Air Quality Index Latest News: The national capital prepared for the first level of restrictions under its Graded Response Action Plan as the quality of air deteriorated with weather changes and stubble burning in neighboring regions. Stage 1 restrictions will come into force on Tuesday, October 15, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee announced on Monday evening. GRAP norms are a set of measures aimed at tackling air pollution in the Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). The GRAP measures are divided into four stages, based on readings of the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Date and time when Stage 1 restrictions will come into force in Delhi NCR 

The GRAP measures will take effect at 8 am on October 15, according to the CAQM panel. 

What triggered GRAP Stage 1 restrictions in NCR?

Air Quality Index (AQI) readings averaged 234 in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Monday.

This is the yardstick used to determine the level of restrictions in activity needed based on the severity of air pollution in the region.

The first stage of restrictions is focused on tackling "poor" quality air.

AQI readings in the range of 201-300 are considered an indicator of poor air quality. 

Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 234 today. The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP accordingly invokes 27-point action plan as per Stage-I of GRAP w.e.f. 8:00 AM of 15.10.2024, in the entire NCR.

Kindly visit https://t.co/B02PSZq8ZP for more details.

— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) October 14, 2024

The panel conducted a thorough review of the quality of air in the region along with forecasts for meteorological conditions prior to deciding on the measures. 

A "sudden dip in air quality parameters" was recorded in the national capital in 24 hours with forecasts also predicting air quality to remain poor in the coming days due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, wrote the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas in a notification. 

Restrictions under Level 1 GRAP 

A number of restrictions come into force in the first stage, including enhanced public transportation, increased frequency of machine-powered sweeping of roads, and proper waste management.

What is the next stage of restrictions?

The next stage is defined by AQI readings of 301-400, indicating "very poor" quality. 

Restrictions under the Level 2 GRAP include a ban on construction and demolition activities, except for essential projects, and sometimes restrictions on schools.