Delhi Metro To Make 40 Extra Trips Daily, More Public Buses To Ply, Says Minister As Air Quality Dips

Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said that the Delhi Metro trains will make an additional 40 trips each day and that the frequency of DTC buses would be increased, to encourage public transport amid rising air pollution in the national capital.

Addressing a press conference, Rai also said that 1,800 more traffic personnel will be deployed at 97 points, and inspections at construction-demolition sites will be intensified.

This came hours after Rai on Tuesday announced the enforcement of GRAP-II (Graded Response Action Plan) rules across North India, as the air quality index (AQI) has crossed over 300.

The GRAP Action Plan includes carrying out mechanical and vacuum sweeping, along with water sprinkling of the identified roads on a daily basis.

Rai also said water sprinkling will be intensified at pollution hotspots, with more than 6,000 employees of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) deployed, and neighbouring states will be requested not to send diesel buses to Delhi.

“We have formed a coordination committee that will visit hotspots every day, under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner, and monitor how action plans are being followed in those areas,” Gopal Rai said.

Delhi woke up to ‘very poor’ air quality on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 385, at nearly 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

GRAP-II IN NORTH INDIA

Earlier today, Rai said that five new initiatives have been introduced in GRAP-II and that diesel generators will be regulated.

“Five new initiatives have been introduced in GRAP-II. Diesel generators will be regulated. Parking costs for vehicles will be increased so that people don’t use their cars for commuting. The aim is to further reduce dust and vehicular pollution,” the Environment Minister said.

A meeting with senior officials had also been called to improve GRAP-II implementation in Delhi NCR, the order for which was given by the Commission for Air Quality Management on Monday, after the overall Air Quality Index dropped into the ‘very poor’ category in the region.

A release by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change stated, “As per the dynamic model and forecasts for weather and air quality made available by IMD/IITM, there is a likelihood of the daily average AQI of Delhi staying in the ‘very poor’ category (AQI 301-400) in the coming days owing to unfavourable meteorological and climatic conditions.”

“Accordingly, the Sub-Committee for the operationalisation 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 the air quality scenario of Delhi-NCR,” it stated.