The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) asked agencies to strictly implement measures under Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the air quality in Delhi and neighbouring areas slipped to the poor levels.

GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.

What is CAQM?

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas has been constituted through promulgation of an ordinance in October 2020 to replace multiple committees and streamline public participation, inter-state cooperation, expert involvement, research and innovation so as to mitigate the issue of air pollution.

• The Commission is mandated for a coordinated approach to address the problem of air pollution emanating from all such sources, which inter-alia include power, agriculture, transport, industry, residential and construction. 

• The broad-based Commission to have a dedicated and participative mechanism, adopting a collaborative and participatory approach involving relevant central ministries/ departments, state governments, local bodies and other stakeholders to tackle air pollution.

• The Commission, from time to time, has been issuing advisories and directions containing policy initiatives and actions directed towards improvement of air quality in the region.

Stage 1 of GRAP

• Stage 1 of GRAP is already in place in the entire NCR with effect from October 5, 2022.

• Under Stage 1 (poor air quality), the Centre’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recommends stopping construction and demolition activities at sites having plot size equal to or more than 500 square metre that are not registered on the web portal of the respective states for remote monitoring of air pollution levels.

• Project proponents are required to ensure proper implementation of guidelines for dust mitigation, management of construction and demolition waste and use of anti-smog guns at construction sites.

• Agencies concerned are required to ensure periodic mechanised sweeping of roads and water sprinkling, and impose heavy fines for violation of the curbs on open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste.

• The authorities are required to strictly enforce PUC (pollution under check) norms for vehicles and maintain a strict vigil to ensure that there are no burning incidents at landfills and dumpsites.

• They also need to ensure that thermal power plants comply with emission norms and only approved fuel is used by industries, and stringent action is taken against violations.

Manorama Yearbook app is now available on Google Play Store and iOS App Store