Maharashtra – The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Monday announced that GRAP 4 revoked following substantial improvement in the city’s air quality over the weekend. The strict emergency measures, which were implemented on November 27 to combat deteriorating air pollution levels, are no longer necessary as Mumbai’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently improved across multiple monitoring stations.
The decision to have GRAP 4 revoked came after careful monitoring of air quality parameters throughout the weekend, with officials noting sustained improvement that justified lifting the emergency restrictions. This marks a positive development for Mumbai residents who had been grappling with poor air quality conditions that prompted the initial enforcement of stringent pollution control measures.
Timeline of Air Quality Improvement Leading to GRAP 4 Revoked
The air quality situation in Mumbai showed remarkable improvement following the implementation of emergency measures. On November 27, when restrictions were first imposed, the overall AQI stood at 167. However, several pockets across the city had crossed the 300 mark, falling into the ‘Poor’ category, which necessitated immediate action through GRAP 4 implementation.
The subsequent days witnessed consistent improvement in air quality readings. On November 28, the AQI dropped to 128, followed by a further decline to 124 on November 29. By Sunday, monitoring stations registered an overall AQI of 103, and on Monday, when GRAP 4 revoked was officially announced, the reading stood at 114. This steady downward trend in pollution levels demonstrated the effectiveness of the implemented restrictions and favorable weather conditions.
Understanding GRAP Implementation Guidelines
According to the central government’s Commission for Air Quality Management rules, the Graded Response Action Plan must be implemented when overall air quality in a city breaches the 200 mark for three consecutive days. The framework includes progressively stringent measures depending on the severity of pollution levels.
Under the regulations, when air quality at individual monitoring stations crosses the 300 mark, all polluting sources must cease operations. This includes ready-mix concrete plants, bakeries, and construction sites, which are identified as significant contributors to urban air pollution. The decision to have GRAP 4 revoked indicates that Mumbai’s air quality has improved sufficiently to no longer warrant these emergency restrictions.
Factors Contributing to Air Quality Improvement
BMC officials attributed the improvement in air quality to multiple factors. “The AQI started improving over the last week after restrictions were imposed. However, the weather conditions were also favourable for the improvement of air quality,” explained a civic official. The combination of strict enforcement measures and conducive meteorological conditions created an optimal scenario for pollution levels to decline.
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Officials also identified the primary pollutants currently affecting the city as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, both primarily emitted from vehicular sources. This identification helps in formulating targeted strategies for long-term air quality management, even after GRAP 4 revoked status has been achieved.
Intensive Monitoring and Enforcement During GRAP 4 Period
During the period when GRAP 4 was in effect, construction sites across Mumbai faced intensive scrutiny. The BMC deployed 95 flying squads throughout the city to monitor compliance with pollution control guidelines and flag any irregularities or violations. These squads ensured that construction activities adhered to the mandatory 28-point charter of guidelines designed to minimize dust and particulate matter emissions.
The civic body’s Mumbai Air Pollution Action Plan (MAPAP) had previously identified dust displacement from construction sites as a primary contributing factor to the city’s declining air quality. This recognition led to focused enforcement efforts at construction locations during the emergency period preceding GRAP 4 revoked announcement.
Enforcement Actions and Compliance Measures
BMC officials have maintained strict vigilance over construction activities, sending notices to builders requiring the installation of air quality sensors at project sites. The enforcement drive resulted in significant punitive actions against non-compliant sites. “We are sending stop work notices to sites which are not following the rules. So far, we have issued show cause notices to 482 construction sites and stop-work notices to 264 projects across the wards,” confirmed a civic official.
These stringent enforcement measures are expected to continue even after GRAP 4 revoked status, ensuring that construction activities maintain compliance with environmental regulations to prevent future air quality deterioration.
Future Preparedness and Monitoring
While celebrating the improvement that led to GRAP 4 revoked decision, officials remained cautious about future air quality scenarios. “If the air quality deteriorates later in the season, we will implement GRAP again as and when required,” stated a BMC official, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to protecting public health.
The civic body continues monitoring air quality parameters across all stations, ready to reinstate emergency measures if pollution levels rise again. This proactive approach ensures Mumbai remains prepared to respond swiftly to any deterioration in air quality conditions.
Conclusion
The announcement that GRAP 4 revoked represents a victory for coordinated pollution control efforts in Mumbai. However, sustained vigilance and continued compliance with environmental regulations remain essential to maintaining healthy air quality levels throughout the city.
