NEWS HIGHLIGHTS
Theme : Disaster Management
Paper : GS - 3
A revised action plan to fight the serious 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 neighboring areas.
To deal with the multi-faceted risks linked to air pollution, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted a list of measures to address different levels of air pollution to the Supreme Court in 2016. These measures coalesced into a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation called GRAP.
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Context
- What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
- GRAP as per Air Quality Index (AQI)
- Other measures being taken
- Road Ahead
Context : A revised action plan to fight the serious 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 neighboring areas.
What is Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) :
- To deal with the multi-faceted risks linked to air pollution, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted a list of measures to address different levels of air pollution to the Supreme Court in 2016. These measures coalesced into a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in Delhi and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation called GRAP.
- The GRAP was approved by the SC after modifications and notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2017, for the “prevention, control and abatement” of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) was the designated agency to implement the plan.
- With multiple State and central bodies working on the problem, a need was felt to consolidate resources to efficiently tackle the problem of toxic air. In 2020 and 2021, ordinances were promulgated for the constitution of a commission for “better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality” in the NCR and adjoining areas in Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- On August 12, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021 received the President’s assent. It established a statutory body (CAQM) with enhanced powers to control air pollution in Delhi NCR and adjoining areas, especially to address stubble burning practice in Punjab , Haryana and western UP.
GRAP as per Air Quality Index (AQI) :
The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality :-
- Stage 1 for “poor” AQI ranging between 201 and 300
- Stage 2 for “very poor” AQI of 301-400
- Stage 3 for “severe” AQI of 401-450
- Stage 4 for “severe plus” AQI more than 450
As per the plan, actions under Stages 2-4 are invoked at least three days in advance of the AQI reaching the projected levels.
Stage 1: In this stage, besides a ban on construction and demolition activities at specific sites, agencies must 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.
Stage 2: mechanized sweeping of roads will be done daily, while water will be sprinkled using dust suppressants at least on alternate days. The use of coal and firewood in eateries would be banned.
Stage 3: The frequency of cleaning roads intensifies in this stage. 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.
Stage 4: When the air quality rises to dangerous levels, entry of all trucks except those carrying essential commodities, or providing essential services is to be stopped into Delhi. This will be followed by a ban on plying of diesel-operated medium goods and heavy goods vehicles in Delhi, except those carrying essential items.
Additional emergency measures like closing schools and other educational institutes, non-emergency commercial activities and plying of vehicles on an odd-even basis may also be enforced.
Other measures being taken :
- Besides GRAP, the government in Delhi has also launched a 15-point action plan this year to tackle the issue of pollution in NCR. As per Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, the winter action plan will focus on stubble management, dust pollution, vehicular emission, open burning of garbage, industrial pollution, pollution hotspots, smog towers, public participation, firecrackers and joint action with neighboring states among other aspects.
- Measures include the installation of anti-smog guns at construction and demolition sites larger than 5,000 square meters. Over 500 teams will be formed to check the burning of garbage in the open and ensure that the GRAP is implemented on construction sites in the city. The Delhi government has also launched an “advanced Green War Room'' to monitor air pollution and ensure effective implementation of its winter action plan”.
Road Ahead :
- The Graded Response Action Plan should be seen as an evolving plan and as more experience is gained in its implementation, it should be suitably calibrated
- The Government should consider forecasts of air quality to implement GRAP measures rather than waiting for the air to be “severe” for days at a stretch.
- The Central Government already gave directions nearly five years ago to “learn from experience” and “calibrate” the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution and it must be taken into consideration.
FAQs:
1. What is the purpose of GRAP?
Answer : The GRAP was approved by the SC after modifications and notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2017, for the “prevention, control and abatement” of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) was the designated agency to implement the plan.
2.What are the steps to be taken for Stage -2 “Very Poor’’ AQI?
Answer :Stage 2: mechanized sweeping of roads will be done daily, while water will be sprinkled using dust suppressants at least on alternate days. The use of coal and firewood in eateries would be banned.