CAQM took no learnings from its earlier reactionary ways: Experts

Environmental advocates and public health experts criticised the apparent delay in implementing Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap), arguing that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) did not keep its focus on its primary mission - to act preemptively before air emergencies arise, not after.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

On Thursday, Delhi entered its second consecutive day of "severe" air quality, making it 48 hours of exposure to toxic air which not only impacts vulnerable groups, but healthy people.

Experts condemned the delay, particularly highlighting the plight of the elderly and children.

In 2022, officials had announced that Grap measures would be made pre-emptive, rather than reactively - meaning under this approach, stages of response would be introduced at least three days before predicted declines in air quality.

Previously, CAQM's subcommittee would wait until AQI touched certain thresholds. For instance, severe-plus measures could only be introduced if AQI remained in "severe plus" zone for 48 hours.

However, the panel's actions on Thursday suggested a return to the outdated approach.