As a mild winter chill ushers in foggy mornings and evenings across Delhi-NCR, the specter of seasonal smog has triggered early action against rising air pollution. With Diwali just around the corner, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated the first stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Tuesday, imposing curbs to curb the toxic buildup even as the Air Quality Index (AQI) lingers in the ‘poor’ category.
On Wednesday, Delhi’s AQI breached 210, firmly in poor territory, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) clocking it at 237 by 8 am Thursday. The IMD’s forecast paints a grim picture: pollution levels are set to stay poor in the coming days, exacerbated by clear skies from October 16-18 that trap pollutants, light haze on the 17th and 18th, and fog likely on the 19th and 20th. A brief respite might come on October 21 with possible thunderstorms and light drizzle amid rising humidity. Temperatures are running two degrees below normal, both minimum and maximum, adding to the discomfort.
GRAP-1 kicks in when AQI surpasses 200, a threshold crossed after three straight days of poor readings. Key measures now in force across Delhi-NCR include a blanket ban on coal and wood use in hotels and restaurants, prohibitions on burning wood and garbage, and stricter dust control at construction sites. These steps aim to nip the crisis in the bud before it spirals into severe smog.
For the uninitiated, GRAP is a tiered emergency protocol tailored to pollution severity: Stage 1 (AQI 201-300) brings moderate restrictions; Stage 2 (301-400) ramps up bans on diesel generators and older vehicles; Stage 3 (401-450) shuts schools and non-essential industries; and Stage 4 (above 450) enforces the harshest lockdowns. Though mandated by the Supreme Court, implementation hinges on government directives, with enforcement agencies on high alert.
This preemptive GRAP invocation underscores the perennial battle against Delhi’s winter woes—stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and festive fireworks looming large. As authorities dust off their playbook, residents are urged to mask up, carpool, and shun outdoor activities during peak haze. With Diwali’s dazzle threatening to darken the skies further, these measures are a critical line of defence for public health in the national capital.
