The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on October 14, 2024, issued a circular regarding the issued a circular regarding the Implementation of Actions under Stage-I ('Poor' Air Quality) of the revised Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR.
There has been a sudden dip in air quality parameters in the last 24 hrs in the region which led to the AQI for Delhi moving into the "POOR" category and the forecasts also predict air quality to mainly remain in "Poor" category in coming days owing to the unfavorable meteorological condition. Therefore, the Sub-Committee decided that ALL actions as envisaged under Stage I of the GRAP 'Poor' Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 201-300), be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned, from 8:00 Α.Μ. of October 15, 2024 in the NCR.
These include:
• Ensure proper implementation of Directions/Rules/Guidelines on dust mitigation measures in Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities and sound environmental management of C&D waste.
• Ensure strict compliance with Direction Nos. 11-18 dated June 11, 2021 and do not permit C&D activities in respect of such projects with plot size equal to or more than 500 sqm which are not registered on the 'web portal' of the respective state / GNCTD and/or which do not fulfil the other requirements as per above noted statutory directions, for remote monitoring of dust mitigation measures.
• Ensure regular lifting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, and Hazardous wastes from dedicated dump sites and ensure that no waste is dumped illegally in open land areas.
• Carry out periodic mechanized sweeping and water sprinkling on roads and ensure scientific disposal of the dust collected in designated sites/landfills.
• Ensure that C&D materials & waste are properly stored/ contained, duly covered in the premises. Ensure transportation of C&D materials and C&D waste only through covered vehicles.
• Strictly enforce the statutory directions and yardsticks for use of anti- smog guns at C&D sites, in proportion to the total area of construction for the project.
• Intensify use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling and dust suppression measures in road construction/widening/ repair projects and maintenance activities.
• Stringently enforce prohibition on open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste. Impose maximum EC upon violations in accordance with Hon'ble NGT's orders dated December 04, 2014 and April 28, 2015 in OA 21/2014.
• Strict vigil to ensure that there are no burning incidents in the landfill sites/dumpsites.
• Deploy traffic police for smooth traffic flow at all identified corridors with heavy traffic and congestion prone intersections.
[Notification No. 120017/27/GRAP/2021/CAQM+1626-1780]
