GURUGRAM: The district administration on Friday imposed pre-GRAP measures to combat pollution as the air quality index (AQI) deteriorated to 102 from Thursday’s 77.
The graded response action plan (GRAP) will be imposed in the region from October 15.
While large construction projects, including highways and metro sites, will be required to provide undertakings to the pollution control boards on adherence to norms for dust management, the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) will reactivate its complaint redress control room. Corporations in Gurugram, Sohna, Pataudi and Farrukhnagar, as well as GMDA, will start sprinkling water on roads, increase frequency of mechanised cleaning and crack down on use of coal and firewood in hotels and eateries. Single-use plastic has been banned.
“We are being more cautious this year. Although GRAP will be imposed from October 15 like every year, we are trying to bring in the measures earlier this time to ensure that the air quality doesn’t deteriorate much,” said Gurugram deputy commissioner Yash Garg.
All industries have been directed to control dust emission and use smog guns extensively. Industries must use only approved fuel, failing which action will be initiated against them.
The order further stated that solid waste dumping in industrial and residential areas should be addressed by engaging concessionaires for door-to-door collection. Civic bodies have been asked to ensure ‘zero’ municipal waste burning and 100% diversion of traffic at congestion points to Eastern Peripheral Expressway (EPE) and Western Peripheral Expressway (WPE), reduction of dust and its safe disposal. The police department has been directed to impound diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years and to provide diversions at heavy intersections and ensure smooth traffic at identified vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, teams have been tasked to penalise violations of environmental norms by construction projects with built up area less than 20,000 sqm within the municipal limits in their respective areas. The MCG will also need to ensure compliance of norms on construction of roads and stormwater drains. Four fire tenders will be deployed by its fire branch, one for each zone, for sprinkling water on roads.
“These are a set of prevention measures that Gurugram is implementing with a view to ensure that the air quality remains under control,” said Kuldeep Singh, regional officer, HSPCB.
