NEW DELHI: The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will start from October 15, a source in the Supreme Court appointed environment watchdog EPCA has confirmed. It has already directed all the government agencies to remain on high alert and to monitor the air quality. A graded response lays down stratified actions that are required to be taken as and when the concentration of pollutants, in this case particulate matter, reaches a certain level.
At the level of 100 microgrammes per cubic metre of PM 2.5, for example, mechanised sweeping and water-sprinkling along roads have to start. Traffic police personnel have to ensure smooth flow of traffic, and all pollution control measures that are already in place –such as stopping landfill fires, and enforcing Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms and a ban on firecrackers –have to be imposed strictly.
"The air in this region of the National Capital is so polluted and toxic, that all our combined efforts have reduced pollution merely from the severe-severe plus category to poor-very poor category," pointed out EPCA member Sunita Narain, earlier in a Press conference.
She added: "Remember, very poor category is still deadly. According to the health index of the government, prolonged exposure to this level of pollution is hazardous, even for healthy people. This means that all of us breathing this air are exposed to toxins and this will impact our health and more importantly, health of our children. Therefore, we need to do much more to reduce pollution and bring it to the good-moderate level."
The battle against air pollution needs a comprehensive plan, credible monitoring, enhanced implementation and rigorous enforcement.
Meanwhile, with Delhiites already feeling a nip in the air, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has begun its work to combat the air pollution in the national capital. Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain directed various agencies last week to ensure that norms for dust control are maintained at construction sites.
"However, commissioners of the three municipal corporations –SDMC, north MCD and EDMC –and vice chairman (DDA), were not present in the meeting. Representatives of the NDMC, EDMC, PWD, DCB, DDA, Revenue Department, Transport Department and Traffic Police attended it," the government said in a statement.
Hussain said development agencies should ensure that all construction sites should adhere to the Construction & Demolition Waste Rules, 2016 to avoid any dust emission from construction activities.
"No construction material should be kept in the open and regular sprinkling of water at all construction sites must be done. All high-rise buildings should have the arrangement of water sprinkling for dust suppression. Strict action against the violators of norms should immediately be initiated by the respective authority," he said.
The minister also directed the transport authorities/traffic police to deploy more staff so that strict actions are taken against the overloaded vehicles and vehicles carrying uncovered construction material. He stressed upon the need to stop the entry of non-destined vehicles in Delhi as the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways have become operational, the statement said.