The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday, May 19, invoked actions under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi jumped to 208.
According to IANS, the Sub-Committee has ordered the implementation of all GRAP-1 measures for Poor AQI (201–300), which includes basic controls such as strict PUC (Pollution Under Control) norm enforcement, mechanised street sweeping as well as dust management at construction sites.
The decision was taken after reviewing the air quality scenario in the NCR as well as India Meteorological Department (IMD)/Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecast, the statement said.
Between April 29 and May 19, as many as 39 violations across Construction and Demolition sites, industrial sector and Diesel Generator (DG) sets were detected during 125 air quality-related inspections carried out by the flying squads of CAQM .
“Of the 39 violations reported, 10 pertained to C&D sites, 10 to industrial sector and 19 to DG set violations,” read the statement issued after the 131st meeting of the Enforcement Task Force (ETF).
“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… Out of the proposed enforcement actions, six actions have already been completed, while several other actions are under process,” it added.