Delhi’s “severe” air pollution level has triggered the implementation of GRAP Stage 4 anti-pollution measures in Delhi-NCR. The air quality in Delhi worsened further on Monday, placing it in the “severe plus” category.

GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN (GRAP) FOR NCR

The GRAP for the NCR has been classified under 4 different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi viz.

Stage – | ‘Poor‘ (AQl 201 – 300), Stage – ll ‘Very Poor (AQl 301 400), Stage – lll ‘Severe‘(AOl 40r450). And Stage – lV’Severe +‘(AQl >450) respectively.

 The World Health Organisation (WHO) has defined the safe limit of PM2.5 (15 micrograms per cubic metre). According to the NCAP, the annual cut off for PM2.5 is 40 µg/m3 and for PM10 it is 60 µg/m3.

Government Programmes

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). A comprehensive initiative in partnership with various Ministries and States. To improve air quality at the city, regional, and national levels.

Tentative national-level target of 20%–30% reduction of Particulate Matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentration by 2024 is proposed under NCAP.

SAFAR envisages a research based management system. Where strategies of air pollution mitigation go hand in hand with nation’s economic development to target a win-win scenario.

“SAFAR” for greater metropolitan cities of India. To provide location-specific information on air quality in near real time. And its forecast 1-3 days in advance for the first time in India. Combined with the early warning system on weather parameters. The SAFAR system is developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, along with ESSO partner institutions. namely the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).

Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas