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A potential solution is mandating green construction practices rather than outright bans, similar to China's approach.” />
Delhi’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), designed to combat winter air pollution, is causing more problems than it solves, according to critics, ToI reported on December 23. Several measures, meant to reduce pollution, are disrupting daily life and may even be worsening air quality, said the report (by Priyangi Agarwal).
GRAP, implemented in 2017 under Supreme Court guidance, consists of escalating restrictions based on pollution levels. Critics say a fundamental shift towards sustainable practices is necessary to truly address Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
Here is a look at some of the moves mandated under GRAP, and what they were intended for & what they are actually leading to, as well as what could help solve some of these new problems.
One major issue is the construction ban. While intended to reduce dust, the ban halts important public works like road repairs, increasing congestion and pollution. It also impacts thousands of daily wage labourers who lose income.
A potential solution is mandating green construction practices rather than outright bans, similar to China’s approach.
Traffic barricades, set up to catch polluting vehicles, are another problem. They create major traffic jams, increasing emissions. A more effective solution, critics suggest, would be a system to identify and penalise banned vehicles using CCTV cameras or phone messages to vehicle owners.
Green tax collection points at Delhi’s entry points also cause major bottlenecks. Expanding RFID-based contactless systems and dedicated vehicle lanes could alleviate this.
Anti-smog guns, deployed to settle dust, often obstruct traffic during peak hours. Experts suggest using them during off-peak times and focusing on long-term dust control.
Parking fee hikes, meant to discourage private vehicle use, are ineffective without adequate public transport, which Delhi currently lacks.
Improvements in last-mile metro connectivity, a larger and more reliable bus fleet, and a unified ticketing system are needed.
Experts emphasise that GRAP is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution. u201cGRAP measures are short-term emergency responses, not long-term solutions. The city needs year-round actions like fleet electrification, better public transport, green construction technology, and effective waste management to eliminate the need for GRAP,u201d Anumita RoyChowdhury, Executive Director, CSE, told ToI.
u201cReal estate must adopt dust-control measures and sustainable practices like prefabrication and ready-mix concrete. Anti-smog guns and mechanized sweeping vehicles should have staggered schedules to reduce congestion-induced pollution,u201d the report said quoting Sunil Dahiya, Founder, Envirocatalysts.
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GRAP, implemented in 2017 under Supreme Court guidance, consists of escalating restrictions based on pollution levels. Critics say a fundamental shift towards sustainable practices is necessary to truly address Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
- Updated On Dec 23, 2024 at 03:54 PM IST
A potential solution is mandating green construction practices rather than outright bans, similar to China’s approach.“>
Delhi’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), designed to combat winter air pollution, is causing more problems than it solves, according to critics, ToI reported on December 23. Several measures, meant to reduce pollution, are disrupting daily life and may even be worsening air quality, said the report (by Priyangi Agarwal).
GRAP, implemented in 2017 under Supreme Court guidance, consists of escalating restrictions based on pollution levels. Critics say a fundamental shift towards sustainable practices is necessary to truly address Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
Here is a look at some of the moves mandated under GRAP, and what they were intended for & what they are actually leading to, as well as what could help solve some of these new problems.
One major issue is the construction ban. While intended to reduce dust, the ban halts important public works like road repairs, increasing congestion and pollution. It also impacts thousands of daily wage labourers who lose income.
A potential solution is mandating green construction practices rather than outright bans, similar to China’s approach.
Traffic barricades, set up to catch polluting vehicles, are another problem. They create major traffic jams, increasing emissions. A more effective solution, critics suggest, would be a system to identify and penalise banned vehicles using CCTV cameras or phone messages to vehicle owners.
Green tax collection points at Delhi’s entry points also cause major bottlenecks. Expanding RFID-based contactless systems and dedicated vehicle lanes could alleviate this.
Anti-smog guns, deployed to settle dust, often obstruct traffic during peak hours. Experts suggest using them during off-peak times and focusing on long-term dust control.
Parking fee hikes, meant to discourage private vehicle use, are ineffective without adequate public transport, which Delhi currently lacks.
Improvements in last-mile metro connectivity, a larger and more reliable bus fleet, and a unified ticketing system are needed.
Experts emphasise that GRAP is a short-term fix, not a long-term solution. “GRAP measures are short-term emergency responses, not long-term solutions. The city needs year-round actions like fleet electrification, better public transport, green construction technology, and effective waste management to eliminate the need for GRAP,” Anumita RoyChowdhury, Executive Director, CSE, told ToI.
“Real estate must adopt dust-control measures and sustainable practices like prefabrication and ready-mix concrete. Anti-smog guns and mechanized sweeping vehicles should have staggered schedules to reduce congestion-induced pollution,” the report said quoting Sunil Dahiya, Founder, Envirocatalysts.
- Published On Dec 23, 2024 at 03:50 PM IST
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