Delhi offices advised to cut down vehicle use as city records season's worst air quality

The Central Pollution Control Board directed the Government as well as private offices in Delhi to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent. The Sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) observed that the upcoming week will be critical for Delhi with respect to air quality.

New Delhi: As Delhi's air quality dipped, the Central Pollution Control Board issued an order on Friday asking the Government as well as private offices in Delhi to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent. Sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) held their seventh meeting via video-conferencing and decided the matter on November 12. The meeting was chaired by Dr Prashant Gargava, Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and chairperson of the Sub-committee.

In its order, CPCB stated, "Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30% (by working from home, carpooling, and optimizing their field activities, etc.). People are advised to limit outdoor activities and minimize their exposure."

While mentioning that the upcoming week will be critical for Delhi with respect to air quality, the sub-committee has also asked the state authorities to step up by implementing and monitoring GRAP measures under 'severe' air quality situations round the clock.

The sub-committee observed that Air Quality Index was in the ‘severe’ category and pollution levels have crossed the threshold limit of PM10 (500µg/m3) and PM2.5 (300µg/m3) in Delhi-NCR on November 12 at 03.00 hours and 01.00 hours, respectively.

Meanwhile, the meteorological conditions are highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants till November 18 due to low wind speed (North-westerly) and calm conditions during the night. It was also informed in the meeting that the winds will be calm even during the day from November 14 to November 17. Also, the stubble contribution is likely to remain high due to north-westerly winds and increased stubble burning incidences.