New Delhi: As the Air quality level of Delhi-NCR has slipped to 'poor' category, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has directed the states- Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh- to implement Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), prohibiting the use of diesel generators in the area, from October 15.
EPCA directs the ban of diesel generators in Delhi and other NCR towns of Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Faridabad and Gurugram.
The measures under GRAP were was approved by the Supreme Court of India in the year of 2016 and implemented by the Environment Ministry in January 2017 in Delhi-NCR in 2017.
Under the measures taken for GRAP, EPCA ordered that large construction projects, including highways and metro, will provide an undertaking to the state pollution control boards/pollution control committees that they will assure adherence to the prescribed norms/guidelines for dust management.
"Industries, particularly in the Red and Orange category, will provide an undertaking to the state pollution control boards/pollution control committees that they will use only authorised fuel and will not operate without adequate pollution control measures," the order further added.
As per the Air Quality Index, 'red' depicts 'very poor' category while orange depicts the 'poor' category of air. GRAP is being implemented in the states based on its air quality index as an "emergency measure".
EPCA has also asked the states to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the action plan on the identified pollution Hot-Spots through ground-level surveillance, night patrolling so as to ensure zero-tolerance for all sources of pollution, including waste burning and dust.
Taking appropriate measure to ensure long term solutions to the problem of solid waste dumping, which is a major concern for air pollution, EPCA ordered the states to direct mechanized sweeping machines for regular cleaning of roads/streets in shifts both day and night where available and to sprinkle water and take other necessary measures to control dust from roads.
In addition to this, 50 teams of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been deployed by the Ministry of Environment to make extensive field visits from October 15, 2020, till February 28, 2021.
The teams will visit Delhi and NCR towns - Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut in Uttar Pradesh; Gurugram, Faridabad, Ballabgarh, Jhajjar, Panipat, Sonepat in Haryana; and Bhiwadi, Alwar, Bharatpur in Rajasthan, specifically focusing on hotspot areas where the problem is aggravated.
"On spot reporting of major air polluting sources such as major construction activities without proper control measures, dumping of garbage & construction waste alongside the roads and on open plots, unpaved roads, open burning of garbage/industrial waste, etc. will be done using SAMEER App," said a statement of Environment Ministry.
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