Explained: Graded Response Action Plan For Air Quality Management In Delhi

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will implement a serious action plan in Delhi-NCR and monitor dust pollution at construction sites. The project is a part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

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Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

This plan¡¯s goal is to reduce pollution in the nation¡¯s capital. It is an anti-dust campaign that will limit pollution aversion in construction projects.

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Although the campaign was supposed to begin on October 15th to reduce the severity of pollution, experts suggest that it should be brought to action at the earliest. Depending on the air quality index, it will most likely last a month. Analysts predict that early action this year will result in fewer cases of severe pollution.

The GRAP was first introduced in 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under a plan filed by the CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) in 2016. The CAQM has been implementing the GRAP since 2021.

How will the Graded Response Action Plan work?

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Delhi¡¯s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the plan in a press conference at Civil Lines. For implementing the action plan, 586 teams from 12 governmental departments have been formed. These teams are in charge of undertaking random checks at construction sites to ensure that they adhere to environmental standards and current pollution guidelines.

The standard criteria for construction sites larger than 5,000 square meters are that they must have one anti-smog gun. Those larger than 10,000 square meters must have two, and those larger than 15,000 square meters must have three. Likewise, a 20,000 sqm site or more extensive will require four or more anti-smog guns.

The basic plan of advancing stages and advancing measures of controlling air quality depends on meteorological forecasts by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The First Stage of GRAP has commenced since the AQI depicts the air quality in poor condition and ranges between 201 to 300. The subsequent stages will be triggered three days before the AQI enters the ¡®very poor¡¯ (301 to 400), ¡®severe¡¯ (401 to 450), and ¡®severe +¡¯ (above 450) criteria, accordingly. The previous GRAP relied on concentration levels of PM2.5 and PM10. The shift to AQI will take into consideration all the pollutants.

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GRAP enforces a four-wheeler prohibition in Delhi and NCR areas surrounding the region in ¡®severe +,¡¯ apart from BS-VI vehicles and those providing critical or vital services. There may also be restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers under stage 3 and a prohibition on the mobility of Delhi-registered, diesel-powered heavy and medium freight trucks in the city, with exceptions for those transporting critical supplies or delivering essential services.

This year, construction operations on major public projects would be prohibited under the ¡®severe +¡¯ level.

What actions must citizens take?

The citizens can take the following actions as part of their collective and individual responsibility:

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On the other hand, companies and workplaces can incorporate work-from-home routines if the situation reaches a ¡®severe¡¯ level.¡¯ Besides, it¡¯s advisable that people suffering from chronic conditions and youngsters and senior citizens should avoid outings.

Sunil Dahiya, an expert with the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, mentioned that only prolonged awareness efforts and ongoing interaction with all stakeholders could address issues like stubble burning.

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