air pollution in delhi
The Supreme Court, hearing the pollution in Delhi, said the provisions of Grape-4 will remain in force in Delhi till Monday. However, schools have been exempted from this. During the hearing, the court also directed the state governments associated with Delhi NCR and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take necessary action. The Supreme Court said Grape-IV measures, except schools, will continue until Monday (December 2). Meanwhile, the CAQM (Commission on Air Quality Management) has been asked to hold a meeting and give suggestions on whether to move from Grap-IV to Grap-III or Grap-II.
Regarding the governments of states included in Delhi NCR, the court said that a complaint has been brought before us that officials are advising farmers to burn stubble after 4 pm. If this is true then it is serious. State governments should ask their officials to avoid such activities.
Instructions to speed up the action
CAQM told the court that after implementation of Grape-IV in Delhi, CAQM issued notice to Delhi Police Commissioner, Special Traffic Commissioner, Additional Chief Secretary, Transport Commissioner, MCD Commissioner and sought their response regarding the entry of trucks. Given this, the court said that the action should be expedited.
Delhi air in ‘very bad’ category
Pollution levels increased slightly in Delhi on Thursday morning with the air quality reaching the ‘very poor’ category. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 313 at 9 am, while it was 301 at 9 am on Wednesday. A thick layer of smog remained in the national capital. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 “moderate”, 201 to 300 “bad”, 301 to 400 “very poor” and 401 to 400 “bad”. between 500 and 500 is considered in the “severe” category. According to CPCB data, none of the 38 monitoring stations that recorded air quality data reported AQI levels in the severe category.
On what basis are Grapp’s steps applied?
Different phases of GRAP are implemented depending on the air pollution situation in Delhi. The first phase of GRAP comes into effect when the AQI level crosses 200. At the same time, when it crosses 300, the second phase is implemented and when it crosses 400, the third phase is implemented. When the AQI exceeds 450, the fourth phase of the lockdown comes into force. The constraints increase with each stage of the graph. Currently, the AQI of Delhi is around 300. In such a situation, implementation of the second or third phase of GRAP is being considered.
