Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas has intensified its efforts to ensure enforcement and compliance of its directions.
The forecast of the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi is likely to be in “Poor” and “Very Poor” categories given the unfavourable climatic and meteorological conditions that generally prevail in the NCR during winters and the occurrence of farm fires.
The commission has been informing and sensitizing all stakeholders (industrial houses, commercial establishments, construction agencies, State Govt. / GNCTD agencies, ULBs in NCR and public at large) about the preventive, mitigative and restrictive actions required to be taken under the GRAP. Stage-I and Stage-II of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were invoked by the Commission on 05.10.2022 and 19.10.2022 respectively.
Besides GRAP and a comprehensive “Policy to curb air pollution in NCR”, various statutory directions, advisories and orders including have been issued by the Commission from time to time for appropriate measures by various agencies concerned.
The standard approved fuel list for NCR bans use of heavily polluting fuels like coal, Furnace Oil etc.
Biomass fuels with stricter emission norms have however been permitted in NCR, outside the territorial jurisdiction of GNCTD considering the huge availability and need to promote environmentally sustainable use of biomass.
The Commission in association with the State Governments has launched a drive for shifting all industries in NCR to cleaner fuels as per approved list.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has been set up for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas for better co-ordination, research, identification and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.