Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens: GRAP-II Implemented to Combat Pollution
The air quality in Delhi-NCR has deteriorated, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II). The Air Quality Index (AQI) has fallen to the ‘Very Poor’ category, with a daily average of 310. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has issued an order for immediate action to prevent further decline.
Actions Under GRAP-II
Starting October 22, 2024, an 11-point action plan will be implemented in the National Capital Region (NCR). This includes mechanical sweeping, water sprinkling on roads, and intensified inspections to enforce dust control measures. The plan also calls for uninterrupted power supply to reduce the use of diesel generators.
Public Advisory
The CAQM advises the public to use public transport, avoid personal vehicles, and replace air filters in automobiles regularly. Citizens are also urged to avoid dust-generating activities and open burning of waste.
Health Impact
Dr. Rajesh Chawla from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital reports a 10-15% increase in respiratory issues due to rising pollution. The demand for asthma and COPD medications has increased as more patients experience acute exacerbations.
Doubts Revealed
Delhi’s Air Quality -: Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. In Delhi, the air quality has become very poor, meaning there is a lot of pollution in the air, which can be harmful to people’s health.
AQI -: AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a number used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. A ‘Very Poor’ AQI means the air is very unhealthy to breathe.
GRAP-II -: GRAP-II stands for Graded Response Action Plan, Phase II. It is a set of measures that are put into action when air pollution levels become very high, to help reduce pollution and protect people’s health.
Commission for Air Quality Management -: This is a government body in India responsible for monitoring and managing air quality in the National Capital Region, including Delhi. They implement plans like GRAP to control pollution.
Respiratory issues -: Respiratory issues refer to problems related to breathing, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These problems can get worse when the air is polluted.
Asthma and COPD -: Asthma is a condition where a person’s airways become inflamed and narrow, making it hard to breathe. COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is a long-term lung disease that also makes breathing difficult. Both can be worsened by air pollution.
