New Air Pollution Control Measures Announced

• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): Governing body for implementing air quality initiatives in NCR and nearby regions.

• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):

  • A framework for short-term emergency measures to combat air pollution, divided into four stages based on pollution levels.
  • Tighter restrictions introduced for winter months to address rising pollution levels, particularly during October and November due to meteorological conditions and seasonal activities like stubble burning and firecracker use.

• Revised Restrictions:

  • Stage 3 Restrictions: Ban on the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in densely populated vehicular regions, including the addition of Sonipat to the existing list of districts (Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar).
  • Exemptions: Differently abled individuals are allowed to use adapted BS-III and BS-IV vehicles for personal use.
  • Disallowances:
    • Withdrawal of exemptions for non-BS-VI compliant trucks carrying essential goods entering Delhi under extreme pollution conditions.
    • Banned medium and light diesel-operated goods vehicles from entering Delhi during Stage 3, including those that are registered outside of Delhi.

• Stage 4 Exceptions:

  • Electric vehicles (EVs), BS-VI compliant vehicles, and those operating on CNG or LNG are permitted.

• Constitutional Context: The actions align with the duties of the State under Article 47 of the Constitution of India, which mandates the State to improve public health and ensure a higher standard of living for its citizens.

• Environmental Concerns:

  • Pollution spikes in the Indo-Gangetic plains attributed to multiple factors, including vehicular emissions and seasonal practices leading to health hazards and environmental degradation.

• Urban Area Considerations:

  • The revised measures emphasize the need for stringent action against air pollution in urban centers, impacting public health and safety.

• Judicial Framework: Potential involvement of public interest litigations regarding air quality management could arise, given the public health implications.

• Future Implications:

  • Continuous monitoring and adjustment of GRAP based on air quality data and public health indicators will likely dictate further revisions and strict enforcement of pollution norms in the region.

These actions represent a critical effort to address the ongoing challenges posed by air pollution and its health impacts on citizens in the National Capital Region (NCR).