CAQM invokes GRAP-1 measures as Delhi AQI rises to 208
New Delhi, May 19
The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region on Tuesday invoked all actions under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan in the entire region as the air quality index in Delhi increased to 208.
The Sub-Committee ordered the implementation of all GRAP-1 measures for Poor AQI (201-300), including basic controls like strict PUC (Pollution Under Control) norm enforcement, dust management at construction sites and mechanised street sweeping.
The Sub-Committee invoked GRAP-1 after reviewing the air quality scenario in the region and India Meteorological Department (IMD)/Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecast, a statement said.
Meanwhile, as many as 39 violations across Construction and Demolition (C&D) sites, industrial sector and Diesel Generator (DG) sets were detected during 125 air quality-related inspections carried out by the flying squads of CAQM between April 29 and May 19.
The action included 20 inspections across C&D sites, 51 inspections across the industrial sector, and 54 inspections related to DG sets.
"Of the 39 violations reported, 10 pertained to C&D sites, 10 to industrial sector and 19 to DG set violations," the statement issued after the 131st meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF) said.
"Based on the inspection reports for reported violations, closure of seven units/projects, sealing of 13 DG sets, issuance of 12 Show Cause Notices (SCNs), imposition of Environmental Compensation (EC) in four cases and issuance of advisory to units in three cases have been proposed," the statement said.
"Out of the proposed enforcement actions, six actions have already been completed, while several other actions are under process," it added.
The Task Force also reviewed actions taken pursuant to the 130th ETF meeting and noted that all actionable cases pertaining to industrial sector, C&D sector and DG sets have been acted upon by the concerned agencies.
"A total of 17 resumption orders have also been issued after verification of compliance, including 13 pertaining to industrial units and four related to C&D sites across the NCR," the statement said.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good that CAQM is monitoring but 125 inspections and only 39 violations? Means either compliance is improving or enforcement is weak. Happy to see DG sets being penalized though - those are real culprits in residential areas. But what about vehicles from other states? Delhi can't solve this alone.
I appreciate the effort but why always reactive? Weather forecast predicted this. GRAP should be proactive, not after AQI hits 208. My kids are coughing already. Need odd-even, more CNG buses, and real crackdown on construction dust. Also what about biomass burning from Punjab? That's the real issue in summer months 🔥
Living in Delhi for 3 years now and this is frustrating. My first summer here and didn't expect such poor air in May. The PUC checks and dust management sound good but I've seen construction sites openly violating rules. Need more public awareness and maybe some citizen reporting app for violators. Come on Delhi, we can do better! 🌿
One positive is the 17 resumption orders - shows accountability is being taken seriously. But seriously, we need to talk about why our air goes bad even in summer. Is it just dust or something more? Also, what about those 54 DG set inspections? 19 violations is too many for emergency power sources. Need better alternatives.
As someone who moved from Mumbai, I find Delhi's air management quite dramatic. But 208 is serious. The GRAP-1 measures are basic - we should already be doing mechanical sweeping and PUC checks year-round! Happy to see enforcement but this should be normal, not emergency. Let's
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