NGT introduces graded response action plan to combat air pollution

Observing that air quality in the national capital was “severe” for most of the month, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed implementation of a graded response action plan to combat different levels of air pollution. The apex environment watchdog said there was no uniformity and “unanimity” in action plans of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA). The air-quality categorisation needs “clarity and certainty”

The tribunal said an approach which is precautionary and preventive rather than curative has to be adopted. The tribunal said there was no dearth of laws, guidelines and directions in relation to prevention and control of pollution of the ambient air quality in Delhi. What is required is the implementation of laws and directions.

Four new categories of air pollution:
The NGT divided air pollution into four categories—category I (average), II (severe), III (critical) and IV (environmental emergency).
1.Category I (Average): While category I action plan would come in force when PM10 is more than 100 micrograms per cubic meter but less than 300 and PM2.5 is more than 60 but below 180,
2.Category II (Severe): Category II will be in action when PM10 is more than 300 µg/m3 but less that 700 µg/m3 and PM2.5 is more than 180 but below 400 µg/m3.
3.Category III (Critical): Category III would be implemented when PM10 is more than 700 micrograms per cubic meter but below 1000 µg/m3 and PM2.5 is more than 400 µg/m3 but less than 600 µg/m3.
4.Category IV (Emergency): Environmental emergency would be termed when PM10 is above 1000 µg/m3 and PM2.5 is above 600 µg/m3.

Previous categories by CPCB & EPCA:
While CPCB has formulated six categories, which refer to different levels of pollution—good, satisfactory, moderately polluted, poor, very poor, severe and above severe—EPCA’s action plan, termed GRAP, has formulated five categories. These are severe plus or emergency, severe, very poor, moderate to poor and moderate. NGT has sought the implementation of odd-even in the third category, but the current GRAP calls for the move at the emergency or highest stringency levels. Terming as “critical” levels of pollution in the third category, the NGT said immediate steps, including a ban on construction and introduction of the odd-even scheme, should be implemented by the authorities.

Action plan for emergency category:
When air pollution reaches environmental emergency levels, thermal power plants in Delhi should be shut down and sprinkling of water from the high-rise buildings should be done. There shall be complete prohibition on use of diesel generator sets. The trucks and heavy vehicles carrying material including trailers shall be prohibited from entering NCT of Delhi.

Criticism:
The Supreme Court-mandated EPCA said that the latest measures announced by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to clean the city’s toxic air may “dilute” the Centre-notified Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and create “confusion” among the implementing agencies. According to the categorisation of the NGT’s action plan, measures such as ban on construction activities, diesel generator sets, thermal power plants and closure of schools will kick in when levels of PM2.5 and PM10 cross 600 and 1,000 microgram per cubic metre (ug/m3) respectively. The green tribunal defines the aforementioned category as ‘emergency’. In contrast, under the GRAP, which was notified by the Centre on January 12 this year, a pollution emergency is declared when PM2.5 crosses 300 ug/m3 and PM10 breaches 500 ug/m3, the level when construction ban and other steps are to be implemented. The GRAP is notified, it is law. No one can afford to not implement it.

By: Dr. Vivek Rana