Haryana State PCS

• 24 Sep 2022

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

Why in News?

On September 22, 2022, Haryana Pollution Control Board Chairman P. Raghavendra Rao said that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will be implemented in ncr districts from October 1.

Key Points

• Under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), there will be a ban on the operation of generator sets in NCR districts from October 1. Generator sets will be allowed only in essential services, such as running hospitals, medical equipment, army-related work or other emergency situations.
• Also, industries based on coal, diesel and generators will not be able to run where the PNG line has been laid. Where the PNG line has not been laid, this rule will be applicable from January 1, 2023.
• P Raghavendra Rao said that this time the revised GRAP is being implemented in NCR, under which the GRAP has been divided into four stages based on the air quality. If the AQI i.e. air quality index reaches above 200, the first stage will be poor. Stage 3 will be severe if AQI crosses 400 and stage 4 will be 'very severe' if AQI crosses 450.
• Significantly, 14 districts of Haryana fall in the NCR region. To reduce pollution in NCR districts, registration on the Dust Control App will be necessary for construction and demolition in more than 500 square meters area.
• He said that when the GRAP is implemented, emphasis will be laid on the use of clean fuel in industries. Industries where PNG gas is supplied will use gas and industries where gas has not been supplied so far should use biomass as fuel.
• He directed the officials to ensure a ban on the use of coal in dhabas, hotels and restaurants etc. Along with this, a district environment plan should be prepared in all the districts.
• He also instructed to constitute special monitoring teams to prevent air pollution and conduct patrolling at night as well as random checking.
• P Raghavendra Rao said that like the Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology will give a pre-estimate of the air quality three days in advance. Earlier, information about air was available on the same day, but now people will be able to get information in advance. The advantage of this will be that people will be able to prepare in advance to avoid pollution.

Air Travel from Ambala to Srinagar and Lucknow soon

Why in News?

On September 22, 2022, Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij, after a review meeting with officials of the Civil and Aviation Department, has informed that the air service from Ambala to Srinagar and Lucknow will start soon.

Key Points

• About 20 acres of land along the junction of the military has been selected for the construction of the terminal in Ambala. The Army has also transferred this land to the Air Force. The terminal will be built on this land at a cost of about Rs 40 crore. For this, the Union Ministry has given all the approvals and also approved the funds.
• Officials of the Civil and Aviation Department, Haryana, said that the Air Force has also given NOC to start air travel in Ambala. In addition, air travel will be started by building a temporary terminal until the terminal is ready.
• Home Minister Vij directed the officers to complete all necessary formalities for air travel so that the public could get its benefits quickly.
• At present, people have to travel to Chandigarh or Delhi for air services.