Delhi government sets up 6-member STF to implement GRAP
The Delhi government formed a six-member special task force on Thursday to oversee strict implementation of the measures listed in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Environment Minister Gopal Rai said. The STF will be led by Delhi's special secretary (environment) and will include top officials from the departments of transport, traffic, revenue, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Public Works Department (PWD). The STF will coordinate with all 28 concerned departments and report to the government daily.
Why does this story matter?
Delhi and the national capital region woke up to "very poor" air quality on Thursday once again. Per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, the overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 386. For the past few weeks, major cities in northern India have been plagued by pollution, mainly because of the lower temperatures combined with vehicle emissions and stubble burning.
Why team was formed
"For 2-3 days the AQI is going to remain in the 'very poor' category only because as per the prediction for tomorrow, the wind speed...will remain low...till wind speed increases, the AQI will stay in 'very poor' category'," he said. Rai added that the decision to form the STF was taken based on this report. Earlier, Rai met with officials from the Environment Department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) at the Delhi Secretariat for a review.
Trying to enforce pollution-control laws in better way: Gopal Rai
Rai also claimed that after Diwali, the capital has come to a standstill as the temperature is rising and the wind direction is very slow. "In this situation, there is stability in the pollution particles that are there on the surface. We're trying to enforce the laws in a better way, that we have implemented to control the source (of pollution)," he told ANI.
Check out Rai's remarks on Delhi's pollution crisis here
Delhi government considering ban on passenger buses
Meanwhile, reports claimed that the Delhi government is reportedly planning to ban passenger buses, except those running on electricity, CNG, and BS-VI diesel, from entering the city. This came after trucks were banned from entering the capital earlier. Speaking to PTI, a source revealed that implementing the ban is likely after the Chhath Puja festival due to the surge in traffic in connection with the event.
Measures taken by Delhi government amid pollution crisis
The ban is in addition to the previous order by the Arvind Kejriwal administration, which mandated only CNG, electric, and BS-VI-compliant diesel buses to ply between Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) from November 1. "There are plans to implement the same norms for buses coming from all states," added the source. Other restrictions under the GRAP Stage IV are also in place in Delhi amid the plummeting air quality.
