Delhi GRAP Plan: Anti-air pollution measures clamped in Delhi-NCR - Check AQI-based grading and response

Delhi Air Pollution: An anti-air pollution Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been clamped in the Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) from October 1.  Environment experts believe advanced action will lead to lesser incidences of severe pollution.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body established in August 2021, for the management of air quality in Delhi-NCR decided to implement GRAP early this year. Earlier, GRAP would come into effect from October 15.

As per the public and experts advance action can prevent drastic deterioration in air quality.

Under the revised GRAP, curbs can be imposed on polluting activities up to three days in advance based on forecasts. Earlier, the authorities would implement the measures only after the PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations touched a particular threshold. 

This time, restrictions will be based on air quality index (AQI) values rather than PM2.5 and PM10 concentration.

In Delhi, officials said the environment department will  use the new real-time source apportionment system which will help to understand the contribution of all pollution sources in real-time. The green war room will monitor violations and redress complaints and grievances in keeping with the practice being followed for the last two years.
 

Delhi Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Details

GRAP has now been 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).

STAGE I - ‘Poor’ (AQI 201-300):
The CAQM has recommended strict action against polluting industries, vehicles, and biomass burning. Construction and demolition activities on a plot size of 500 square metres or more which are not registered on the “web portal of the respective states for remote monitoring of air pollution levels” will be stopped, reports PTI.
also, guidelines on the use of anti-smog guns at construction sites will be enforced and 586 teams will oversee the implementation.

STAGE II – ‘Very Poor’ (AQI 301-400):
The use of coal and firewood, including in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, open eateries; and diesel generator sets, except for emergent and essential services, is banned under Stage II. 

People will be encouraged to use public transport and bus and metro services will be increased in this regard.

STAGE III – ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450):
If the situation turns “severe” (Stage III), authorities will have to enforce a ban on construction and demolition activities in NCR, except on essential projects (like railways, metros, airports, ISBTs, national security/defence-related projects of national importance) and non-polluting activities such as plumbing, carpentry, interior decoration and electrical works.

Brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers not operating on clean fuels, and mining and associated activities in NCR will also be banned under Stage III. State governments in Delhi-NCR may also impose restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles (four wheelers) under Stage III.

The state government could ask offices to switch to work from home if possible and people will be deterred from using coal and wood for heating.

STAGE IV – ‘Severe Plus’ (AQI >450):
The measures to be followed in the “Severe Plus” category or Stage IV include a ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi, and on the plying of Delhi-registered diesel-run medium goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in the national capital except those carrying essential commodities.

The use of four-wheeler diesel light motor vehicles, except for BS-VI vehicles and vehicles engaged in essential services, will also be banned in Delhi and the bordering districts of NCR.
Stage IV will also entail a ban on industries running on dirty fuels and on construction and demolition activities in linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission and pipelines.

State governments can consider allowing 50 per cent staff to work from home in public, municipal and private offices, and additional emergency measures like closure of educational institutions and the plying of vehicles on odd-even basis etc.