Task force to meet today to take call on more strict Grap action

NEWDELHI: The task force headed by the central pollution control board (CPCB) will on Wednesday review whether additional preemptive measures listed under the graded response action plan (Grap) would be needed to save the air quality from deteriorating further.

Even though certain measures are already in place in Delhi, Grap stipulates if the air quality continues to be ‘severe’ for 48 hours, more stringent measures such as the implementation of the odd-even road rationing plan, ban on the entry of trucks and a hike in parking fee will have to enforced.

Delhi’s transport minister Kailash Gahlot said the government is ready to roll out the odd-even drive if the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (Epca), the agency which implements and oversees Grap, so directs. “We are beginning the odd-even drive from November 4, but if the situation demands that we roll it out immediately, we are prepared,” he said.

Environment and weather experts said pollution levels in the national capital are likely to remain “severe” at least till Wednesday. However, government agencies will now require to take more pre-emptive measures instead of remedial action to stop Delhi’s air from getting fouler, experts said.

CPCB member secretary, Prashant Gargava, said on their recommendations, Epca had directed certain measures, such as a ban on overnight (6pm to 6am) construction, to be implemented as a precautionary step from October 26 to October 30.

“We have already taken some of the measures under ‘severe’ category, anticipating the Diwali pollution. This includes a ban on overnight construction, closure of stone crushers and hot mix plants as well as industries running on coal in NCR towns, and in Delhi, all industries that were yet to switch to piped natural gas (PNG),” he said. “It depends on how intensely these measures are being enforced on ground. We will review the measures Wednesday to take a call on the future course of action.”

In an earlier meeting, the Epca had already ordered preventive measures such as banning diesel generator sets in Delhi and satellite towns, mechanised sweeping of roads from October 15.

Gahlot said even though his government is prepared to enforce the odd-even plan before the announced date of November 4, a hike in parking fee, simultaneously, will be an additional burden on Delhi road users. “Increasing parking charges along with the odd-even will be harsh. There will anyway be a limitation on use of private vehicles for a fortnight,,” Gahlot said.

Environment experts said it is time that the government steps up action and does not wait for bad air days to act. “Now the government should be pre-emptive. The wind speeds are reducing and the temperature will also dip. That means we are heading for poor air quality. What we need is that agencies should take measure under severe category as soon as there is a sign of deterioration,” Vivek Chattopadhyay, senior programme manager (Clean Air Program), Centre for Science and Environment, said.