On 18th November, the Supreme Court of India slammed Delhi’s Aam Aadmi party-led government for not enforcing Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) even as New Delhi has been experiencing an alarming rise in pollution levels. The top court stated that it would not allow any reduction in the preventive measures under stage 4 of GRAP, even if the AQI drops below 450.
In simple terms, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented as an emergency measure when deterioration of air quality reaches at a certain point.
Brief history and different stages
The GRAP, which was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is based on a plan submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2016. GRAP for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi.
Stage I – ‘poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II — ‘very poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III — ‘severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV — ‘severe plus’ (AQI >450).
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) was constituted through the CAQM Act, 2021, which came into force in the same year on April 13.
Restrictions while GRAP IV is on
Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases should stay indoors as much as possible and refrain from outdoor activities.
The prohibition of non-essential truck traffic entering Delhi, except vehicles transporting necessities or rendering necessary services, is one of the main measures.
All school students, except those in Classes 10 and 12, will no longer attend in-person classes as a result of the implementation of GRAP-IV.
GRAP Stage 4 entails a ban on diesel-run medium, and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi (BS-IV or below), except those carrying essentials.
Entry of trucks into Delhi banned except for those carrying essential goods, and services; LNG, CNG, electric, BS-VI diesel trucks allowed.
The state government may consider additional emergency measures like the closure of colleges/educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting running of vehicles, and odd-even basis of registration numbers etc.
What is banned under GRAP stage III
Construction and demolition are halted, all non-essential mining activities are suspended, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses are restricted, and schools are suggested to shut till Class 5 in Delhi-NCR.
The ban on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be imposed and commercial vehicles will be banned from entering NCR.
An increase in the mechanised sweeping of roads, as per CAQM orders. It also asked for an increase in water sprinkling on roads in hotspot areas, especially before peak traffic hours. The government has also urged Delhi residents to carpool and prefer using public transport as much as possible.
Steps that are taken under GRAP I and GRAP II
Some of the measures taken under GRAP 1 and GRAP 2 include:-
Mechanical/vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads daily. Using water sprinkling along with the use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust, especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, and vulnerable areas, and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.
Synchronising traffic movements and enhancing parking fees to discourage private vehicle movement. Using various media channels to inform people on how best to minimise polluting activities. Strict regulations on using and operating diesel generator sets. Use of public transport and minimise the use of personal vehicles. Moreover, opt for a less congested route even if it takes slightly longer.
Regularly replace air filters in automobiles. Avoid dust-generating construction activities from October to January. Avoid open burning of solid waste and biomass.
AQI and its categories
The Air Quality Index measures air quality daily. The purpose of AQI is to help people and government know how the local air quality impacts their health and what measures they can take to reduce its severity.
The colour-coded AQI was launched in 2014 as part of the Central government’s Swachh Bharat program. A team of air quality experts, medical professionals, academia, advocacy groups, and others were constituted, while a technical study was awarded to IIT Kanpur, which recommended an AQI scheme.
There are six categories of AQI, namely ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (50-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (100-200), ‘Poor’ (200-300), ‘Very Poor’ (300-400), and ‘Severe’ (400-500).
Some of the pollution hotspots in the national capital include Anand Vihar, Mundka, Wazirpur, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Narela, Dwarka, Vivek Vihar, RK Puram, Mandir Marg, Pusa, Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, ITO, Patparganj, Lodhi Road (IITM station) and Alipur.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants: Ground-level ozone, particle pollution/particulate matter (PM2.5/pm 10), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the AQI transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature, and colour.
The smaller the pollutants, the more harmful they are to the human body, causing respiratory problems. Particulate matter (PM) 2.5, which is an atmospheric particulate matter of a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometres, can easily bypass the nose and throat and can easily enter the circulatory system. The particles can lead to chronic diseases like asthma, heart attack, bronchitis, and other respiratory problems.
Significance of GRAP
The GRAP is a response mechanism that brings together multiple stakeholders and authorities to respond to a deterioration in the air quality in Delhi-NCR. The plan requires action and coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan (NCR areas).
GRAP has been outlined in such a way that it fixes accountability and also gives deadlines. The actions to be taken and the implementing agency with the corresponding AQI level are enumerated neatly and clearly. There is also a clear demarcation of responsibilities.
The Graded Response Action Plan should be considered as a living document that will continue to evolve as more experience is gained in its execution. The Government should evaluate air quality projections to execute GRAP measures rather than waiting for the air to be “severe” for days at a time.
