The Central Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee has recently decided to enforce Stage I actions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the whole National Capital Region (NCR), following a daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 211 (classified as ‘Poor’) in Delhi, as per the Central Pollution Control Board.

Under the invoked measures, all agencies across NCR will monitor, review and intensify measures to prevent further decline in air quality. Citizens are urged to support the initiative by following the Citizen Charter for Stage I, which includes:

• Keeping engines well-tuned and tyre pressures optimal

• Maintaining up-to-date PUC (Pollution Under Control) certification

• Avoiding idling, and switching off engines at red lights

• Choosing hybrid or electric vehicles when possible

• Preventing littering and open dumping

• Reporting pollution incidents via 311 App, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App

• Planting trees and celebrating festivals in an eco-friendly manner (no firecrackers)

        The 27-point action plan imposes responsibilities on multiple agencies, including:

1. Enforce dust mitigation in Construction & Demolition (C&D) operations

2. Disallow C&D activity for plots ≥ 500 sqm unless registered and compliant

3. Ensure regular removal of municipal, C&D and hazardous waste

4. Mechanised road sweeping, water sprinkling, and scientific disposal of dust

5. Store and transport C&D materials in covered manner

6. Use anti-smog guns per statutory norms at C&D sites

7. Intensify dust suppression in road works

8. Ban open burning of biomass and municipal waste, with strict penalties

9. Monitor landfill sites to prevent burning

10. Deploy traffic police to improve flow at congested intersections

11. Enforce PUC norms strictly

12. Impound visibly polluting vehicles and levy maximum penalties

13. Divert non-destined trucks via peripheral expressways (per Supreme Court)

14. Enforce restrictions on overaged petrol/diesel vehicles

15. Penalise non-compliant industrial units

16. Apply pollution norms to industries, brick kilns, hot mix plants

17. Restrict use of non-approved fuels in industries

18. Enforce emission norms in thermal power plants

19. Uphold court orders banning firecrackers

20. Ensure consistent lifting and disposal of industrial waste

21. DISCOMs to reduce power failures

22. Discourage regular use of diesel generators

23. Enforce ban on coal/firewood use in tandoors in hotels and eateries

24. Promote use of clean fuels in catering, restaurants

25. Disseminate pollution data via social media, SMS, mobile apps

26. Expedite resolution of complaints via apps and social platforms

27. Encourage offices to adopt unified commute systems