Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Archives - Lokmarg

Delhi: GRAP-3 Lifted With Strict Implementation Of GRAP-1 And 2

By LokMarg 29th November 2023

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday said that Grap-3 has been lifted in the national capital but the government is trying to ensure that Grap-1 and 2 are strictly implemented.

“Due to the change in weather during the last two days, there has been a decline in pollution. Commission for Air Quality Management has lifted the restrictions of Grap-3. The ban on BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles and the ban on construction demolition have been lifted. GRAP 3 is imposed when AQI is 400, but it continued despite low AQI because fluctuations were visible in AQI after Diwali. If the wind speed slows down, AQI may increase again, hence GRAP-1 and GRAP-2 should be strictly implemented. For this, directions are being given to all the departments again,” Gopal Rai said.

He further informed about the steps that the government will take in the meantime to curb the pollution in the city.

“The teams which were working at all the 13 hot spots, 60 mobile smog guns will continue to work there. Water sprinkling work will continue on the identified roads every day, through 215 mobile anti-smog vehicles. 591 teams were formed for monitoring at construction sites, they will continue their work. Now since construction work is going on, 14-point dust control measures will have to be followed otherwise they will be closed,” he said.

He also emphasized that 611 teams are working to stop incidents of biomass burning in Delhi.

“There is still a huge increase in PM 2.5 components. The stubble component has now become zero but the biomass burning component is increasing from neighbouring areas. We are taking every step so that the situation of implementing GRAP-3 does not arise again. Currently, the biggest cause of pollution is biomass burning. If there is open burning anywhere, people can complain on the Green Delhi app,” Gopal Rai said.

Meanwhile, The air quality index in the National Capital remains in the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday morning.

As per the official data, in the Alipur area and Ashok Vihar, the air quality was recorded as ‘poor’ with AQI readings of 260 and 288, respectively, at 7 a.m. (ANI)

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Air Pollution Persisting In Entire North India: Rai Seeks Centre’s Intervention

By LokMarg 17th November 2023

As a layer of haze continued to cover the national capital on Friday, and the air quality was recorded in the ‘severe’ category in several parts of the city, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has sought Central Government’s intervention to curb the pollution.

Speaking to ANI, Rai said that the issue of pollution persists not only in Delhi but the entire north India and cannot be resolved only if the national capital becomes active.

“This situation is persisting in all of north India. Besides Delhi, Haryana is showing severe category air quality in 12 districts…There are 14 such locations in Rajasthan…There are several districts in western Uttar Pradesh where there is a similar situation,” he said on Friday.

He further requested Union Environment Minister Bhupendra Yadav to hold a meeting with environment ministers of states to address the issue of air pollution.

“In Delhi, we formed a special team yesterday for the strict implementation of GRAP regulations…I think this is a problem for the entire north India. It can’t be resolved if only Delhi becomes active. I think it is time for the Central Government to intervene. I also request the Union Environment Minister to conduct a meeting of Environment Ministers…” Rai added.

Earlier on Thursday, Rai said that a 6-member special task force has been formed, under the leadership of the Environment Special Secretary for proper implementation and monitoring of GRAP rules.

“The task force includes the Special Commissioner of Transport, DCP (HQ) Traffic Police, Deputy Commissioner, Revenue (HQ), Chief Engineers of MCD and PWD. The main work of this task force will be to coordinate daily with the concerned departments and remove the problems faced by them and give the implementation report to the government,” he said after a review meeting at the Delhi Secretariat with the concerned officers to ensure strict compliance with GRAP-IV rules in the city.

The city was engulfed in a thick layer of smog on the night of Diwali and the toxic haze continued the next day following the bursting of firecrackers, despite the Supreme Court order.

However, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data recorded at 8 am on Friday, the air quality in RK Puram was recorded at 461, it was at 454 at New Moti Bagh, 465 at the IGI Airport area and 475 at Nehru Nagar, all in the severe category.

Nine out of 11 state capitals analysed in India recorded higher pollution in the first 12 hours after Diwali celebrations this year as compared to last year. The government’s National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) tracker analysed PM 2.5 (fine particulate matter) data for 11 capital cities.

The highest spike (recorded at 15-minute intervals) was seen in the national capital Delhi. It was 999.5 ug/m3 at Pusa on November 13 at 1:30 am. (ANI)

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Delhi Govt Shifts Blame On People Over Worsening Air Quality

By LokMarg 2nd November 2022

“People” of Delhi are responsible for the bad air quality of the national capital, said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday.

“I appeal to people if possible work from home and avoid taking out private vehicles. 50% of the pollution is from vehicles. People shouldn’t burst crackers,” Rai told reporters here.
The air quality in the national capital continued to remain in the ‘very poor category on Wednesday morning as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city stood at 354.

Noida, which is part of the national capital region, slipped to an AQI of 406 and continued to remain in the ‘severe’ category, while Gurugram’s AQI stood at 346 and continued to stay in the ‘very poor category, as per data released by SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research) India.

The deteriorating air quality in the Delhi NCR region remains a problem around this time of the year. It also becomes a contentious issue with various state governments blaming each other for what has now become an annual problem.

The burning of agricultural waste in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, according to analysts, is one of the primary reasons for the rising air pollution in the region.

“Stubble burning in Punjab is happening due to Centre as they didn’t support Punjab govt, farmers to stop it” added Gopal Rai, the Environment Minister in the AAP-led Delhi government.

Air Quality Index from 0 to 100 is considered good, while from 100 to 200 it is moderate, from 200 to 300 it is poor, and from 300 to 400 it is said to be very poor and from 400 to 500 or above it is considered as severe.

“I request the UP and Haryana governments to form a regional special task force to reduce air pollution in areas adjoining Delhi like Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida. The pollution problem is not the state’s problem. It happens due to the air system that develops” Rai said while urging the governments of BJP-led governments of the states adjoining Delhi.

Meanwhile, last week, Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas intensified efforts to ensure enforcement and compliance with its directions after the air quality of the national capital plunged to the “severe” category on Friday.

Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha told ANI that severe category AQI is very dangerous for health and it affects even healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

“In such circumstances, the school should be closed and outdoor movement should be prohibited because severe category AQI impacts all aspects of life,” Jha said.

As per the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the commission has been informing and sensitizing all stakeholders (industrial houses, commercial establishments, construction agencies, State Govt/ GNCTD agencies, ULBs in NCR, and the public at large) about the preventive, mitigative and restrictive actions required to be taken under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Stage-I and Stage II of the revised GRAP were invoked by the Commission on October 5 and October 19 respectively.

“Besides GRAP and a comprehensive “Policy to curb air pollution in NCR”, various statutory directions, advisories and orders including have been issued by the Commission from time to time for appropriate measures by various agencies concerned,” the Ministry had said in a statement. (ANI)

Heavy Flow From UP Caused Foam On Yamuna: Gopal Rai

By LokMarg 30th October 2022

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has claimed that the speedy flow of river Yamuna from Uttar Pradesh is the cause behind foam formation atop the river in the national capital.

“High-speed river flow from UP is the main cause for the foam formation over the river in Delhi especially in the Kalindi Kunj area,” Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said quoting the scientists of Delhi Jal Board.
Addressing a press conference in the national capital, the environment minister cited “multiple reasons” as a cause for the increase in the pollution levels during the winter season in Delhi and its nearby areas.

Rai further said in the meeting to discuss pollution levels in Delhi NCR, that the AQI level is likely to reach over 400 from November 1.

He assured that a ‘monitoring committee’ will be formed to keep a watch over construction works that are still in progress despite the imposition of a ban in the wake of the deteriorating air quality of the National Capital Region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas imposed this ban on Saturday stating that all construction works other than the one of Central Vista need to be stopped amid the rising pollution levels.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) sub-committee decided to implement Stage III of GRAP in the entire NCR in a move to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

He highlighted that the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar and Vivek Vihar has been reported highest at the levels of 440 and 408 respectively, Rai added.

Accusing the BJP-led central government for the stubble burning in Punjab — which is another cause of pollution in neighbouring cities including Delhi, the environment minister said, “Punjab government is ready to give financial support to the farmers after banning stubble burning but it is the Centre which is not ready to contribute to it monetarily.”

The decision of the Delhi government to ban firecrackers was also criticised by the BJP and they are also not letting the onset of campaign ‘Red light on, Gaadi off’ here.

“BJP is also restricting the Red Light On, Gaadi Off campaign, despite the fact that it helped bring pollution down to 15 per cent levels in the national capital in the previous year,” he said.

Rai on Thursday had claimed in a press conference that the campaign was to be rolled out on October 28, however, it was being postponed as the approval was due from the L-G’s office. He added that the file was sent on October 21 for approval.

Denying the charges, L-G office sources said that the file that was sent to the L-G office mentioned October 31 as the date of rollout instead of October 28 as claimed by the Delhi minister.

Further mentioning about the cleanliness of Yamuna, Rai emphasised on the five years’ time sought by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal stating that such a “huge problem cannot be resolved in two days.”

To address the deteriorating air quality of the National Capital Region, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the CAQM in NCR and adjoining areas held an emergency meeting on Saturday.

This meeting was conducted after the third phase of GRAP in Delhi NCR.

While comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters during the meeting, the Commission noted that due to unfavourable meteorological conditions with slower wind speed and sudden spike in farm fire incidents, it is considered necessary to implement Stage III of GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR.

“As per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast, the overall air quality over Delhi is likely to remain in the Very Poor to Severe category from 29.10.2022 to 30.10.2022. The air quality is likely to deteriorate and remain in a Severe category from 31.10.2022 to 01.11.2022 and for the subsequent 6 Days, the air quality is likely to fluctuate between the Severe to Very Poor category,” read the official statement from CAQM.

The CAQM further noted that the winds are forecasted to be calm in the coming days and the wind direction is likely to change course frequently. Thus, there is a high likelihood of the pollutants getting trapped in the region and not getting dispersed effectively.

The CAQM had further appealed to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GARP. Apart from that, a 9-point action plan as per Stage III of GRAP was made applicable in the entire NCR.

The 9-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC, as per the official statement. (ANI)

Anti-Dust Campaign: 253 Notices, ₹32.4L Worth Of Fines Issued

By LokMarg 26th October 2022

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai chaired a review meeting with Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and Environment Department officers to take stock of the Anti-Dust Campaign on Wednesday.

It was observed in the meeting that 6,868 construction sites had been inspected by officers under the Anti Dust Campaign. At the same time, notices/challans were issued to 253 sites; and fines of Rs 32.4 lakh were imposed for violation of guidelines issued at construction sites, said a press release.
Minister Gopal Rai stated, “In order to reduce the pollution of Delhi during the winter season, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the Winter Action Plan on 30 September. On the basis of this, the concerned departments have started work to implement it on the ground, added the statement.

Under the Anti Dust Campaign, the teams are constantly visiting construction sites. These teams will ensure that the construction guidelines are followed there. It is necessary to implement 14 norms on construction sites. The campaign was launched on October 6 and will run till November 6. If any site refuses to follow the rules of dust control, action will be taken against it as per law, added the statement.

According to the NGT guidelines, a fine ranging from 10,000 up to 5 lakh will be imposed for violation of the rule on the construction sites. If there is a severe violation then the construction site will be shut.”

Environment Minister directed the officials of the Environment Department to take daily reports from the teams regarding the Anti Dust Campaign. So far 6868 construction sites have been inspected. A total of 253 notices have been issued and fines of Rs 32.4 lakh have been imposed for non-compliance with guidelines at some construction sites.

Minister Gopal Rai appealed to the people of Delhi that if they find any irregularities in the construction/demolition work, then they should complain about it on Green Delhi App. (ANI)

Delhi Makes Anti-Smog Guns Compulsory For All Construction Sites

By LokMarg 28th September 2022

As stubble burning season begins in north India and with pollution levels in the national capital increasing, the Delhi government has begun started implementing its Winter Action Plan.

The Delhi government has made it compulsory for construction sites with an area of 5,000 sq metres or more to install anti-smog guns.
Now Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures will be implemented 3 days in advance based on forecasts before the air quality worsens.

While addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, ”The Environment Department has prepared a 15-point Winter Action Plan.” “Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will present this 15-pointer Winter Action Plan in front of the people of Delhi on September 30.”

Gopal Rai said, ”This time, the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) has also made certain changes in the GRAP measures.” We are developing our Plan of Action, keeping in mind the advice of the CAQM, to be brought in force from October 1st. The major shift in the upcoming plan from the erstwhile system is that previously, the basic parameter was PM 2.5 and PM 10. On the basis of this parameter, the level of pollution was bifurcated into five categories: Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, Severe and Severe Plus.”

”Now, instead of gauging the level of pollution on the basis of PM 2.5 and PM 10 values, monitoring will be done on the basis of the Air Quality Index (AQI) and the GRAP measures will be implemented in Delhi accordingly. There will be four categories of levels of pollution instead of five in the new plan: Poor (AQI 201-300), Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Severe (401-450), Severe Plus (AQI 450+). The modification made in the GRAP measures is that, previously, it was implemented after the air quality falls below a certain. Now, the garb system will be implemented three days prior to reaching the level on the basis of estimation. AQI will be calculated on the basis of forecasts of IITM and IMD,” he added.

He said, ”Regarding the dust pollution in Delhi, it was mandatory to install an anti-smog gun on site with an area greater than 20,000 sq metre till now. But now there is a modification in this provision and now the construction site sized between 5000 sq metres to 10000 sq metres are required to have anti-smog guns. A construction site with an area between 5 thousand sq metres to 10 thousand sq metres needs to have one anti-smog gun.”

”Construction sites sized between 10 thousand sq metres to 15000sq metres are required to have two anti-smog guns and sites having sizes between 15000 sq metres and 20,000 sq metres need to have three anti-smog guns. Construction sites with an area greater than 20 thousand sq metres are required to have four anti-smog guns.” He continued.

The Environment Minister concluded, ”I held a meeting with all the officials of DPCC yesterday. Last year, we worked together with all the agencies working on construction sites in Delhi to keep a noose on pollution. Today, I want to appeal to them to follow the new provisions related to the installation of anti-smog guns, which now cover sites with an area of between 5,000 sq metres to 10,000 sq metres as well. We run an anti-dust campaign every year and it will be mandatory as per the Winter Action Plan to follow this provision. Action would be taken against all those agencies who violate this provision. ” (ANI)