Delhi AQI severe

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?
• What is Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)?
• What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?
• News Summary: Delhi AQI severe

Why in news?

• The air quality in Delhi turned ‘severe’ as its average AQI was 447 on January 14.
• The sudden deterioration in air quality prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke stage 3 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect.

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What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?

• AQI was launched in October 2014 to disseminate information on air quality in an easily understandable form for the general public. 
• The measurement of air quality is based on eight pollutants, namely, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb
• The AQI transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number for ease of understanding.
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Image Caption: Air Quality Index

What is Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)?

• CAQM is a statutory body formed under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
• The commission aims at better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in NCR and adjoining areas.

What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)?

• About
  • GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
  • It was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017.
    • The plan was formulated after several meetings between Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), state government and experts.
  • GRAP works only as an emergency measure. 
  • The plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions.
• Nature
  • 

Image Caption: Graded Response Action Plan

• GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ measures listed under both sections have to be followed. 
• Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘poor’ category (201 to 300);
• Stage 2 is when it’s in the ‘Very poor’ category (301-400);
• Stage 3 is when the AQI is the ‘Severe’ category (401-450); and 
• Stage 4 is when it rises to the ‘Severe +’ category (more than 450).

News Summary: Delhi AQI severe

• Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 447 (severe) on January 14. As a result, CAQM invoked stage 3 measures under the GRAP across Delhi-NCR.
• The sudden to a spike in pollution levels was due to the combination of:
  • low wind speed, 
  • frigid temperatures, 
  • rise in the moisture levels, 
  • low mixing heights and 
  • the impact of biomass combustion across the city the previous day led.
• Invoked for the third time this winter season, the eight measures include a ban on BS- III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers plying across Delhi-NCR region.
• The measures also effectively ban private construction in the region.

Q1) Who is the National Capital Region (NCR)?

The National Capital Region (NCR) is a metropolitan area in India that includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and surrounding urban areas in the states of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The NCR is a planning region centered on the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Q2) What are Bharat Stage (BS) Emission standards?

 Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards are government-mandated standards that regulate the amount of air pollutants that motor vehicles emit. All vehicles sold and driven in India must comply with these standards.

Source: Delhi AQI severe, curbs back on cars and construction | CAQM | Hindustan Times