Delhi air pollution : GRAP bans use of fuel-powered generators

New Delhi: The different states across the country are witnessing unseasonal rain whereas Delhi is struggling with poor air quality.  The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) as a preventive measure on Wednesday announced a ban on the use of fuel-powered generators from October 15 under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap).

According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) report, Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) was 276 in the “poor” category on Wednesday, slightly better than the previous day’s 300. However, until 2pm, the hourly AQI average was above 300. An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. The AQI hit “very poor” on Tuesday morning, and touched 318, the worst level since February this year.

GRAP is basically a set of anti-pollution restrictions that include preventive measures to stop the air quality from deteriorating to emergency levels. Under GRAP, DPCC bans the operation of generator sets of all capacities, run on diesel, petrol or kerosene in Delhi with effect from October 15 till further orders stated in the order issued.

According to GRAP, if the air quality further deteriorates to the “severe” category for 48 hours, then to combat the situation , measures such as traffic rationing and a ban on the entry of trucks are brought into force. Industries running on coal are also asked to cease operations.

A senior Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) official said, “Last year due to a similar situation the CPCB in its list suggested the private firms to allow employees to work from home (WFH) and introduce staggered timings. But it seems impossible deal for them at that time, however now they are apt to the WFH”.