Amid the festive fervour across the National Capital Region (NCR) and the rest of the country, Delhi continues to struggle with deteriorating air quality. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 411 near the Akshardham Temple on Monday, placing it in the ‘severe’ category.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday enforced Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect to prevent further decline in air quality levels.
According to CPCB data, the AQI stood at 352 in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium area and 296 across Delhi as of 4 PM on Sunday, keeping the city in the ‘poor’ category for several consecutive days.
In its directive, the CAQM stated, “Actions under Stage I and II of the extant GRAP shall be implemented, monitored and reviewed in earnest by all concerned agencies in the entire NCR to ensure that AQI levels do not slip further.”
The Commission has instructed all agencies to step up enforcement, particularly regarding dust mitigation measures across the Delhi-NCR region.
Under Stage 2, CAQM has directed the daily mechanical and vacuum sweeping of identified roads and regular water sprinkling using dust suppressants, especially at pollution hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, and vulnerable zones. Collected dust must be properly disposed of at designated landfills.
Other measures include enhanced parking fees to discourage private vehicle use, increased frequency of bus and metro services, and strict regulation of diesel generator (DG) sets to conserve power while ensuring an uninterrupted electricity supply.
The order also calls for synchronising traffic movements, deploying additional personnel at intersections, and issuing public advisories through newspapers, television, and radio to inform citizens about pollution levels and promote compliance with safety measures.
Stage 2 further mandates intensified inspections and strict enforcement of dust control norms at construction and demolition sites across NCR.
-ANI
