High-level meeting held to review steps under GRAP

NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Monday held a high-level meeting to review the implementation of all the steps under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court-appointed pollution watchdog Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority is likely to again extend the ban on entry of trucks into the Capital and construction work, as air quality remained 'severe' on Monday.

The ban on trucks and construction ended on Monday midnight.

At the high-level meeting convened on Monday, Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain reviewed the GRAP – the Supreme Court mandated plan to combat air pollution – as well as action taken by various stakeholder departments for implementing the plan, a Delhi government official said.

He added that officials of the Delhi Pollution Control Committee informed that actions are being taken by the concerned agencies.

These measures include increasing frequency of mechanised road sweeping, extra sprinkling of water at hot spots, stopping usage of diesel generator sets, enhancing parking fees by three-four times, increasing bus and Metro services, banning coal and firewood burning in hotels and eateries, involving RWAs to provide electric heaters to security guards and issuing advisories about the adverse effects of air pollution.

According to the official, Hussain observed that there is a strong need to control local air polluting factors, such as burning of garbage, dust pollution among others

The minister also directed the Municipal Corporations to intensify mechanical sweeping of roads, including Public Works Department roads, to prevent suspension and re-suspension of dust due to movement of vehicles.

The Delhi government also directed the Municipal Corporations to strengthen enforcement of compliance of directions regarding the prohibition of permitting covered building material on their respective roads/spaces.

Meanwhile, EPCA officials noted that if the 'severe' air quality persists, it will recommend the Delhi government to extend the bans.