Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR asks states and agencies to implement Emergency Measures

New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas CAQM convened a crucial meeting on an emergent basis yesterday in wake of deteriorating air quality of the Delhi-NCR region. It has asked States and concerned agencies to be in complete readiness for implementing Emergency Measures as listed under Graded Response Action Plan.

The adverse air quality scenario in Delhi-NCR as a combined result of paddy stubble burning, vehicular pollution, post-Diwali pollution, dip in temperature, and other local factors, was also greatly impacted by a dust storm moving in from the South-Westerly directions of the Thar desert which brought in huge quantities of dust that further amplified the PM2.5 and PM10 levels significantly. 

Considering all aspects causing a spike in the air pollution levels, the Commission reiterated that the actions recommended by the orders of the Sub-Committee shall be strictly implemented by the



States.

After the 8th meeting of the Sub-Committee for GRAP an order was issued detailing various air pollution preventive measures and mitigation actions that need to be undertaken by the various agencies concerned across Delhi-NCR.

The Commission advised the concerned departments of the State Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, to consider similar restrictions or regulations in the NCR districts as implemented by Delhi Government through its order which includes closure of schools up to 20th of this month and closure of Construction and Demolition activities from 14th to 17th November.

Further, the State Governments and District Administrations in the NCR States were also suggested to issue a Citizen Charter or Advisory for the general public including various steps that need to be taken during various stages or categories of the GRAP Action Plan.