Graded Response Action Plan or GRAP

Graded Response Action Plan or GRAP

Subject: Environment

Context: According to a recent report, 18 of the 20 cities with the most severe increase in fine particle pollutants called PM 2.5 between 2010 and 2019 were in India.

The action plan against Delhi’s air pollution-

• A rigorous challenge of air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has come into force after a sudden dip in air quality in the capital and its neighbouring areas.

How did GRAP come into being?

• The Central Pollution Control Board submitted a list of measures to address different levels of air pollution to the Supreme Court in January 2016.
• These measures coalesced into GRAP — a set of anti-air pollution measures which are to be followed in Delhi and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.
• The GRAP was approved by the SC after modifications and notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change on January 12, 2017.
• The Centre set up the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Regionand Adjoining Areas.
• This powerful body, which coordinates with other States to plan and execute strategies to prevent and control air pollution in the NCR, has been enforcing GRAP since 2021.
• Under the revised action plan, restrictions on polluting activities will be dependent on Air Quality Index (AQI) rather than PM2.5 and PM10 concentration.

How will the action plan function?

• The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality–

1. Stage one for “poor” AQI ranging between 201 and 300,
2. Stage two for “very poor” AQI of 301-400,
3. Stage three for “severe” AQI of 401-450
4. Stage four for “severe plus” AQI more than

• In stage one, a ban on construction and demolition activities at specific sites will be implemented.
  • Also, agencies should ensure that all solid waste is lifted from dedicated dump sites, and none is dumped on open land.
  • Heavy fines are to be imposed for openly burning municipal solid waste and biomass.
  • Roads will be mechanically cleaned and water sprinkled from time to time.
  • The ban on firecrackers should be followed as per the directions of respective courts.

• In stage two,mechanised sweeping of roads will be done daily, while water will be sprinkled using dust suppressants at least on alternate days.
  • Authorities would need to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of generators.
• At stage three, the frequency of cleaning roads intensifies. Water would be sprinkled daily before peak traffic hours.
  • Authorities will levy different rates on public transport services to encourage off- peak travel.
  • A strict ban will be enforced on all construction activities, except ongoing construction of railway, metro, airport and hospital projects.
  • The State government will be empowered to impose restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesellight motor vehicles (LMVs).
• During stage four, when the air quality rises to dangerous levels, entry of all trucks, except those carrying essential commodities, will be restricted.
  • Four wheeler diesel LMVs would also be banned except those used for essential or emergency services.
  • All construction and demolition activities would have to be stopped.
  • The respective governments could, meanwhile, take a call on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength.
  • Additional emergency measures like closing schools, non emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on an odd-even basis may also be enforced.

Do citizens have a role?

• Along with instructions for authorities, the GRAP also includes a graded advisory for the public.
• The measures include properly tuning engines of their vehicles, ensuring accurate air pressure in tyres and updating PUC (pollution under control) certificates.