Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated on Monday that the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Delhi to lessen the effects of increased pollution in the national capital, despite Delhi’s air quality continuing to remain in the “very poor” category with an AQI of 306. The environment minister also mentioned that all the relevant departments will meet on Monday at 12 p.m. to discuss the implementation of the GRAP phase 2 in Delhi.
“The cold has started increasing in Delhi and the speed of the wind has decreased, this may result in an increase in pollution… The particulate matter is staying near the ground. The second phase of GRAP has been implemented in Delhi… A meeting has been called with all the concerned departments to discuss the execution of the GRAP phase 2,” Rai told .
“The weather is not in our hands but the sources need to be controlled so that the effect of pollution on the health of the people is reduced as much as possible,” the Environment Minister added.
Gopal Rai responded that the focus of GRAP 2 is primarily on cleaning and water sprinkling when asked about the measures being taken to reduce pollution in the national capital.
“A meeting has been called at 12 pm today… We have spoken to the environment ministers of the surrounding states and they have assured us that they will take action on stubble burning… Due to Diwali, stubble and Dussehra, the next 10 to 15 days are very crucial for Delhi,” Rai added.