The Commission for Air Quality Management on Sunday imposed Stage 2 restrictions to control pollution in Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region under the Graded Response Action Plan after the air quality plummeted to the “very poor” level a day before Diwali.

The Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, is a set of incremental anti-pollution measures that are triggered to prevent further worsening of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.

The second stage of the plan involves a ban on the use of coal and firewood, including tandoors in hotels, restaurants and open eateries. It also includes a ban on the use of diesel generator sets, except for emergency and essential services.

It further comprises measures such as the mechanical sweeping of roads and sprinkling water on them to keep the dust from rising, and intensified inspections for strict dust control measures at construction and demolition sites.

The restrictions under Stage 2 includes the curbs under the first stage, which was imposed on October 14.

In its statement on Sunday about the imposition of the Stage 2 measures, the Commission for Air Quality Management said that the Air Quality Index in Delhi had shown an increasing trend since the morning and had been recorded at 296 at 4 pm and 302 at 7 pm.

The forecast by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology suggests that the AQI will remain poor in the coming days, it added.

Air quality deteriorates sharply in the winter months in Delhi, which is often ranked the world’s most polluted capital. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, along with falling temperatures, decreased wind speeds and emissions from industries and coal-fired plants contribute to the problem.

During the festival of Diwali, firecrackers also contribute to the pollution in the national capital.

An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality. As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.

Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”.

Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the “poor” category. The second, third and fourth stages are activated when the AQI crosses the “very poor”, “severe” category and “severe plus” category.

On Sunday, the commission said that the actions under Stage 1 and 2 of GRAP will be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all government agencies in the National Capital Region to ensure that the AQI levels do not plummet further.

It added that all implementing agencies will keep “strict vigil and intensify measures” as per GRAP.

Delhi CM urges use of green crackers

On Sunday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta urged residents of the national capital to use only certified green crackers during Diwali.

“After years, the festival of Diwali in Delhi will once again be celebrated in all its colours and lights,” Gupta said on social media. “We appeal to all of you to use only certified green firecrackers during this Diwali and to strictly follow the prescribed guidelines.”

Green firecrackers are less polluting than regular ones as they are made with modified formulations and do not contain certain harmful elements such as lithium, arsenic, barium and lead.

On October 15, the Supreme Court had permitted the sale and use of green firecrackers in the Delhi-NCR region, subject to conditions.

Accordingly, the court allowed sales of green firecrackers between October 18 and 21. It also restricted such sales to designated locations and limited the use of these firecrackers between 6 am-7 am and 8 pm-10 pm.

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