Context
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 245, entering the ‘poor’ category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked GRAP Stage I (Graded Response Action Plan Stage I), restricting diesel-generator use and polluting inter-State buses.
Explanation
- Air Quality Index (AQI) indicates air pollution levels and associated health risks, based on eight pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, NO₂, SO₂, CO, O₃, NH₃ and Pb.
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI into six categories: Good (0–50), Satisfactory (51–100), Moderate (101–200), Poor (201–300), Very Poor (301–400) and Severe (401–500).
- GRAP is an emergency pollution-control framework for Delhi-NCR, activated according to prevailing or forecast AQI.
- It has four stages: Stage I (201–300), Stage II (301–400), Stage III (401–450) and Stage IV (above 450), with progressively stricter restrictions.
- CAQM, established under the CAQM Act, 2021, coordinates regional pollution control and GRAP implementation. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a statutory supra-regional body with authority over the entire National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas.
- Pollution in Delhi always intensifies in winter due to temperature inversion, low wind speeds, vehicular emissions and stubble burning etc.
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