NCR's Air Quality Response Plan Revamped Amid Deteriorating Conditions

The Commission for Air Quality Management revised the Graded Response Action Plan for NCR due to worsening air quality. Measures initially set for 'Severe' AQI will now be enforced earlier, urging staggered office timings and enhanced public transport to mitigate pollution effects.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revamped the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the National Capital Region (NCR), shifting measures initially intended for 'Severe' AQI under GRAP Stage IV to be enacted under GRAP Stage III, as per a recent press release.

State governments in the NCR and GNCTD will assess whether public, municipal, and private offices should operate at 50% capacity, while the central government considers work-from-home policies for its employees. Additionally, GRAP Stage II protocols have also been advanced to GRAP Stage I, ensuring consistent power supply and smooth traffic management.

Among other strategic interventions, authorities will increase public transport services, introduce differential travel rates to promote off-peak travel, and inform citizens via media alerts about air quality issues. Despite the changes, Delhi's air quality remains critically poor, with AQI indexes still fluctuating in perilous ranges across various regions.

(With inputs from agencies.)