Centre releases grants of Rs 94 Crores for PRIs in Uttarakhand (See 'Corp Brief') New Logo for RRBs signifying single and unified brand identity unveiled (See 'Corp Brief') PMVBRY aims to incentivise creation of over 3.5 crore jobs over 2 years (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Pharmaceutical guidelines illustrate that if combination of two prior art documents fails to provide result as claimed in invention in question, then teaching of prior art documents is considered to be teaching away: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs transforming functioning into paperless ecosystem (See 'Corp Brief') Scindia chairs review meeting on Matabari Tourism Circuit Development in Tripura (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - If Novartis had consciously waived its right to cross-examination by electing to file rebuttal evidence, there are no valid grounds to challenge Controller's order: HC (See 'Legal Desk') WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine Commences in New Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') MoS delivers national statement at UN on outcomes of World Summit on the Information Society (See 'Corp Brief') PM MITRA Parks anchored in 5F vision generating huge investment interest (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - While assessing 'prior art', mere similarity is insufficient and visual distinction matters, and for prior art to invalidate design, it must be clearly established and comparable in relevant features: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Steps taken to strengthen security of cyber ecosystem (See 'Corp Brief') ICG Ship Sarthak makes Strategic Port Call at Chabahar (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - On being satisfied that brand or mark has acquired status which is well known, there ought to be order directing that no individuals should be allowed to register UPI Ids or VPAs with said brand names: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI okays acquisition of paper & pulp manufacturing business of ABREL by ITC Ltd (See 'Corp Brief') CCI okays acquisition of equity stake in Logisteed Holdings, Ltd. by Japan Post Co., Ltd. (See 'Corp Brief') CCI nod to proposed combination involving acquisition of minority shareholding in DCX Global Limited by Coinbase Global Inc. (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - Compromise between bank and co-guarantor did not extinguish liability of other guarantors, who issued separate, enforceable undertakings: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Motor insurance complaints fall from 26.18% in FY 2023-24 to 24.8% in FY 2024-25 (See 'Corp Brief') DPIIT launches District Business Reform Action Plan (See 'Corp Brief') MoHUA holds Preparatory Workshop to Chart Roadmap for Clean Himalayan Hill Cities (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Visage had made out strong prima facie case for protection; Freecia is restrained from copying packaging layout, ingredient descriptions, usage steps or using mark 'DERMOMELAN' until final disposal of suit: HC (See 'Legal Desk') BHEL hands over dividend cheque of Rs 109 cr to GoI (See 'Corp Brief') NESTS is organising 2nd EMRS Principals' Conclave on Effective Management of Schools (See 'Corp Brief') Govt has focused on further decriminalization to enhance Ease of Living and EODB: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Post-insolvency commencement date claims that are not made part of Resolution Plan are not arbitrable: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Relentless execution transformed India's Energy Sector: Goyal (See 'Corp Brief') Over 8.45 crore subscribers enrolled under APY as on 30th Nov: MoS (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - It is duty of litigant to keep track of his own case, and he cannot shift entire burden on to shoulders of his counsel: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Rail Electrification boosts Efficiency, Cuts Diesel Consumption and Sets Global Benchmark (See 'Corp Brief') 53rd Edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle dedicated to Vijay Diwas held in Goa (See 'Corp Brief') Scindia unveils 25-Foot Statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Karnataka (See 'Corp Brief') PMLA - Secured creditor is entitled to stake its claim before liquidator as per Section 53 of IBC, qua immovable property, and same can be disposed of by liquidator as per law: SAFEMA (See 'Legal Desk') Mizoram gets its First Rail-Carried Cars (See 'Corp Brief') Minister highlighting rich craft traditions and their relevance to contemporary living (See 'Corp Brief') Scindia unveils Commemorative Postage Stamp on 150th anniversary of Bombay Gymkhana (See 'Corp Brief') SEBI - Request for unfreezing bank accounts based merely on value of securities in demat accounts, in absence of compliance with direction of Interim Order of depositing impounded gains in Escrow Account, cannot be accepted: SEBI (See 'Legal Desk')

CAQM invokes Stage-II GRAP Action Plan Across NCR

Published: Oct 22, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, OCT 22, 2024: DELHI'S recorded a daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 310 i.e. 'Very Poor' category on date, as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As per the dynamic model and forecasts for weather/ meteorological conditions and air quality made available by IMD/IITM, there is a likelihood of the daily average AQI of Delhi staying in 'Very Poor' category (DELHI AQI- 3O1-4OO) in the coming days owing to unfavorable meteorological and climatic conditions. Accordingly, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to take stock of air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR.

While comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario in the region as well as the weather/ meteorological conditions and air quality forecasts made available by IMD/ IITM, it was noted that there is a likelihood of present level of AQI in Delhi staying in 'Very Poor' category in the coming days, as per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast provided by IMD / IITM.

Therefore, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of GRAP has taken the call to invoke 11-point action plan as per Stage-II of revised GRAP in the entire NCR. All actions as envisaged under Stage-II of the revised GRAP - 'Very Poor' Air Quality (DELHI AQI- 3O1-4OO), be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in NCR w.e.f. 0800 hrs on 22.10.2024, in addition to all Stage-I actions of GRAP already in force. Further, agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR States and DPCC have been addressed to ensure successful and strict implementation of actions under Stage-II of GRAP in addition to actions under Stage-I of GRAP during this period.

The Sub-Committee also urges citizens to adhere to the following specific steps listed in Citizen Charter of Stage-II along with Stage-I of GRAP and assist in effective implementation of the GRAP measures aimed towards sustaining and improving the air quality in the region, as under:

- People to use public transport and minimize use of personal vehicles.

- Use technology, take less congested route even if slightly longer.

- Regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in your automobiles.

- Avoid dust generating construction activities during months of October to January.

- Avoid open burning of solid waste and bio-mass.

Further, an 11-point action plan as per Stage-II of GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR, in addition to all Stage-I actions of GRAP already in force. This 11-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by various agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and DPCC. These steps are:

1. Carry out mechanical/ vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads on a daily basis.

2. Ensure water sprinkling along with use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, vulnerable areas and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.

3. Intensify inspections for strict enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites.

4. Ensure focused and targeted action for abatement of air pollution in all identified hotspots in NCR. Intensify remedial measures for the predominant sector(s) contributing to adverse air quality in each of such hotspots.

5. Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage use of alternate power Generating sets/ equipment (DG sets etc.). 

6. Strictly implement the schedule for regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential and offices etc. in accordance with Direction No. 76 dated 29.09.2023.

Capacity Range of DG sets

System to be adopted for control of emissions

Regulations for use

Power generating sets of all capacities running on LPG/ Natural Gas/ Bio-gas/Propane/Butane

None

No restrictions

Power generating sets up to 800 kW (1000 kVA) capacity to standards as per MoEFCC notification No. GSR 804 (E)  dated    03.11.2022

None

No restrictions.

DG sets to older specifications / standards

800 kW (1000 kVA)

and above

Any emission control system/mechanism, however subject to compliance of the prescribed emission standards in Direction no. 76

No restrictions

62 kW (73 kVA)

to less than

800 kW (1000 kVA)

Dual fuel mode

or

Retro-fitted ECDs through certified agencies

No restrictions

19 kW (23 kVA)

to less than

62 kW (73 kVA)

Dual fuel mode

No restrictions

Note: DG Sets not working in a dual fuel mode, only owing to non-availability of gas infrastructure and supply, shall be permitted only for prescribed emergency services. *

Portable DG sets below 19kW (23 kVA)

Presently no specific means of emission control are available in this category / capacity range of DG sets.

Not to be generally permitted.

Permitted only for the prescribed emergency services. *

*Emergency services:

(i) Only for operating elevators / Escalators / travelators

(ii) Medical Services (Hospital / Nursing Home/ Health care facilities).

(iii) Railway Services /Railway Stations.

(iv) Metro Rail Corporation & MRTS Services.

(v) Airports and Inter-State Bus Terminals.

(vi) Sewage Treatment Plants.

(vii) Water pumping Stations.

(viii) Projects related to national security, defence & of national importance.

(ix) Telecommunications and IT/ data services.

7. Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections / traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.

8. Alert in newspapers / TV / radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do's and Don'ts for minimizing polluting activities.

9. Enhance Parking fees to discourage private transport.

10. Augment CNG/ electric bus and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service.

11. Resident Welfare Associations to necessarily provide electric heaters to security staff to avoid open Bio-Mass and MSW burning during winters.

The Commission is closely monitoring the situation and will review the air quality scenario on a regular basis in the coming days. The detailed revised schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission's official website and may be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES