New Delhi: To tackle air pollution, the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has decided to implement the updated Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures from October 1. Once the GRAP is implemented, activities contributing to pollution will be prohibited, and stringent actions will be enforced against those who violate these restrictions. Speaking to PTI, an official said that responsibilities have been assigned to different officers to ensure compliance with the GRAP rules in areas under the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram and orders issued by the civic body’s environment and sustainability branch.
“In order to maintain the Air Quality index within prescribed limits, all efforts have to be made to ensure that the levels do not rise further, even with adverse weather conditions. To combat air pollution, the following measures need to be taken immediately from 01.10.2023 as per the Revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for NCR by the Commission for Air Quality Management. The activities in brief are to be carried out by Municipal Corporation Gurugram Stage by Stage along with responsible officers/team,” the Environment and Sustainability wing of the MCG said in a statement.
Moreover, it stated that from October 1st, officers assigned specific duties must provide a detailed report of progress, organised in stages corresponding to their duties. Additionally, they must submit an action-taken report for the previous day, all due by 9 am each day.
4 Phases of GRAP
- The GRAP mechanism will be implemented in four phases. The first phase will be implemented when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is between 201 and 300. In the first phase, officials will ensure the collection of construction and demolition and solid waste. Under GRAP rules, vehicles carrying construction and demolition material and waste will be required to be covered. Anti-smog guns will be installed and compliance ensured at construction and demolition sites. There is a ban on burning any kind of waste in the municipal corporation area. There will also be a ban on the use of coal and wood in tandoors.
- The second phase — to be implemented when the AQI is between 301 and 400 — will witness the introduction of an additional ban on the use of generators. Only generators running on liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, biogas, propane and butane can be used.
- In the third phase, when the AQI is between 401 and 450, all construction and demolition activities, except a few projects, will be prohibited. The exempted projects will have to ensure compliance with construction and demolition waste management rules and dust control norms, the senior official said.
- The fourth phase, will be implemented when the AQI crosses 450. All construction and demolition activities will be banned during 4th phase of GRAP. Arrangements will be made to prevent dust particles from floating in the air and action taken against violators, said the senior official.
