Delhi Environment Minister to hold meeting tomorrow as air pollution worsens | India News – Times of India

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will hold a meeting with department heads of all concerned departments on Monday for effective implementation of GRAP IV, his office said in a statement on Sunday.
The meeting will take place at the Delhi Secretariat on Monday afternoon.
“For effective implementation of GRAP-IV in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai will hold a meeting with HoDs of all concerned departments at Delhi Secretariat tomorrow at 12 noon,” the office of the Delhi Environment Minister said.
Meanwhile, in response to the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has decided to activate Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Monday.
Delhi’s daily average air quality index (AQI) rose sharply to 441 at 4 pm on Sunday and further escalated to 457 at 7 pm, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
This severe spike prompted an emergency meeting of the GRAP subcommittee.
“Taking into account the prevailing trend of deteriorating air quality in NCR, and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the Subcommittee today heeded the call to take all actions as envisaged under Phase IV of GRAP – ‘Severe+’ air quality (Delhi’s AQI > 450), from 8am on 18.11.2024 (tomorrow) across the NCR,” it said the CAQM in a statement.
This is in addition to the preventive/mitigation measures mentioned in Phase I, Phase II and Phase III of GRAP that are already in place.
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR) has been classified into four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I – ‘poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘very poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘severe’ (AQI 401-450); and stage IV – ‘severe plus’ (AQI >450).
The Phase IV response includes an eight-point action plan aimed at mitigating the pollution crisis. Key measures include banning the entry of non-essential truck traffic into Delhi, with the exception of trucks carrying essential goods or providing essential services.
LNG/CNG/electric and BS-VI diesel trucks will continue to be allowed. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi will also not be allowed entry, except those powered by electric, CNG or BS-VI diesel engines. Delhi-registered BS-IV and lower diesel-powered medium and heavy trucks will not be allowed to ply, except for vehicles carrying essential services.
The subcommittee also extended the ban on construction and demolition activities to public infrastructure projects such as highways, roads, flyovers and power lines.
State governments and the Government of Delhi (GNCTD) have been advised to consider shifting physical classes for students in grades VI-IX and works. A similar work-from-home arrangement could be considered for government employees.
Moreover, state governments have been urged to consider emergency measures such as closing colleges and non-essential commercial activities and implementing odd-even vehicle policies to reduce pollution. The CAQM has called on citizens to cooperate with these measures and to stay indoors as much as possible, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases.
The CAQM stressed that it is closely monitoring air quality and will regularly assess the situation to assess further action.