News: EPCA to discuss prep with 3 states today-08-10-2020

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/epca-to-discuss-prep-with-3-states-today/articleshow/78543989.cms

GURUGRAM: The Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) will hold a meeting with Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh pollution department on Thursday. They will discuss preparedness for implementation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the region by next week keeping in view the increase in pollutants level.
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S Narayan, member secretary of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), said, “We will have a meeting with EPCA on Thursday before implementing the GRAP next week. The discussion will be on the preparedness before implementation of GRAP in the region. We already had four meetings with EPCA about the current situation and how effectively the plan can be implemented this year to curb pollution.”

According to GRAP, if the air turns “very poor” then the local administration should stop use of diesel generator sets, increase bus and metro services and increasing frequency of metro service and stop use of coal/firewood in hotels and open eateries. On Wednesday, Gurugram’s AQI was recorded at 194.

When inquired about implementing GRAP in Gurugram, deputy commissioner said that they are awaiting direction of EPCA. Amit Khatri, deputy commissioner,Gurugram, said, “We will implement GRAP as per the direction of environment department.”

Meanwhile, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) said that they are working towards mitigating air pollution. Shakti Singh, regional officer, HSPCB, “We are well prepared for implementing GRAP in the district. As per the GRAP, when the air quality is between moderate to poor, it has been advised to enforce pollution control in thermal power plants, mechanized sweeping on roads, ban on firecrackers and stop garbage burning. At present,Gurugram air quality is in the ‘moderate’ category. Hence, once GRAP is implemented the respective departments will carry out their duties as per the air quality and criteria in GRAP.”

Moreover, if the air quality turns “severe” then measures such as increase frequency of mechanized sweeping of road and sprinkling of water on roads, close brick kilns, hot mix plants, stone crushers, Shut down power plant, introduce concessional rates to encourage off-peak travel in public transport should be followed.