New Delhi, Oct 17 (UNI) With the Delhi air quality entering the red zone, the polluting Badarpur Power Plant has been shut down and use of diesel generators has been restricted as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Announcing this at a press conference here, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) chairperson Bhure Lal said “Difficult situations demand tough responses and solutions and the Delhi-NCR region is faced with a really difficult situation each winter when air pollution levels spiral out of control. The EPCA and all other agencies of the government are prepared to take those tough decisions which we believe will help clear the air”. The member of EPCA Sunita Narain has suggested for a steep hike in parking fee for a limited period. “The air quality may also result in an increase in the parking fee for vehicles by up to four times in the next few days.” said Narain. The measures, if required to enforce, will be under the Graded Response Action Plan, under which a series of steps will be taken based on the severity of air pollution during the winter season. The Supreme Court, earler this month, has imposed temporary ban on the sale of the firecrackers in Delhi-NCR region during Diwali this year to check the alarming air pollution level. In November 2016, the Supreme Court had directed the government to frame and implement a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution under various categories of the National Air Quality Index (AQI). The environment ministry notified the Plan on January 17, 2017. UNI AKS SHK 2146