Jaipur : Due to rising pollution levels around Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), the fourth phase of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Alwar and Bharatpur districts of Rajasthan. Rajasthan Pollution Control Board issued an order in this regard on Tuesday and closed more than 3000 mining and industries in these two districts. Besides, construction works have also been immediately banned. This is also likely to impact traffic, as heavy vehicles will not be able to enter these districts after the implementation of GRAP-4, however, vehicles carrying essential goods will remain out of this rule.
Will there be serious diseases along with the job?
At present, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Alwar and Bharatpur has crossed 200. AQI has been recorded at 233 in Alwar while it has been recorded at 267 in Bharatpur. An AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, while 101-200 is ‘moderate’ and 201-300 is considered ‘poor’. When AQI reaches 301 to 400, it is called ‘severe’ and can have serious health effects. In such a situation, continuous exposure to this polluted air can cause difficulty in breathing for people, especially asthma and heart patients.
Will work from home continue in Delhi to avoid pollution?
GRAP aims to control pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas. There are four phases under this scheme. When the AQI is between 201 and 300, GRAP-1 applies, which includes measures such as dust controls and a ban on open burning. When the AQI reaches between 301 to 400, GRAP-2 is implemented and between 401 to 500, GRAP-3 is implemented, which imposes a complete ban on construction and mining operations. Finally, when AQI reaches above 500, GRAP-4 is implemented, in which school classes are made online and work from home arrangements are made in government and private offices. At this time, these steps have become necessary to control air pollution and protect the health of the people, so that the pollution levels can be reduced in future.
