GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN(GRAP)

TAG:  GS-3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

CONTEXT: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has enforced Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi-NCR. This measure follows the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing into the ‘severe plus category, signaling a critical air pollution emergency.

Explanation:

What is Graded Response Action Plan?

• • GRAP is a set of emergency measures that kick in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold in the Delhi-NCR region.
  • It was approved by the Supreme Court (SC) in 2016 and notified in 2017.

• • The plan was formulated after several meetings between Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), state government and experts.
    • GRAP works only as an emergency measure.
    • The plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions.

• • GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ measures listed under both sections must be followed

What is banned under Grap Stage IV? 

• • Entry of non-essential trucks and non-BS-VI light commercial vehicles into Delhi is prohibited.
  • Diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV and older) are barred, except those carrying essential items.
  • All construction and demolition activities for public infrastructure projects, such as roads, highways, flyovers, and power lines, are suspended.
  • The order prohibits the entry of trucks into Delhi unless they are carrying essential goods or operating on clean fuels.
    • Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are also barred, except for those running on electric, CNG, or BS-VI diesel engines.
  • The panel suggested that offices in the National Capital Region operate at 50 per cent capacity, with the remainder working from home.
    • Work-from-home options may also be implemented for central government employees.
  • State governments have been advised to consider closing colleges, restricting non-essential commercial activities, and introducing odd-even vehicle rules.

Air Quality Index (AQI)

• • AQI was launched in October 2014 to disseminate information on air quality in an easily understandable form for the general public.
  • The measurement of air quality is based on eight pollutants, namely, PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb
  • The AQI transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number for ease of understanding.

Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/everyday-explainers/grap-stage-iv-schools-meaning-9675789/