CAQM released Policy to curb Air pollution

• A policy prepared by CAQM to curb air pollution in NCR has been made public.
• It recommends action in different sectors within a specific timeline to control pollution and meet National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Key highlights of the policy:

Revisions to the GRAP

Four different stages of adverse AQI

• Under the new GRAP for Delhi-NCR, there will be four different stages of adverse AQI:
• Stage I – Poor (AQI 201-300);
• Stage II – Very Poor (AQI 301-400);
• Stage III – Severe (AQI 401-450);
• Stage IV – Severe Plus (AQI over 450).

Action plan for curbing pollution

Pollution goals to be implemented in short-term, medium-term and long-term

• Pollution goals to be implemented in
• Short term (one year),
• Medium term (2-3 years)
• Long term (five years).
• Recommends sector-wise actions to be implemented by Delhi government and NCR states over a given timeframe.
• Specific instructions had been laid out to 14 sectors: Industries, vehicles, transport, clean energy, construction and demolition, stubble burning, road dust and municipal solid waste incineration.

Use of clean fuel like PNG for the entire NCR

• Policy advises use of clean fuel like PNG for entire NCR, not just Delhi.
• In view of higher prices of PNG compared with conventional fuels, It talks about need for uniform and affordable pricing structure.

Need to upscale the use of the bio-decomposer solution

• Upscale use of bio-decomposer solution to deal with paddy straw in the harvest season of 2022.