What Are Different Stages of GRAP, Enforced In Delhi To Curb Pollution

As per the Commission for Air Quality Management's order, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel.

Many parts of Delhi recorded an AQI above 700 on Sunday.

Source : PTI

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of guidelines and measures implemented to combat air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding areas. The Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) notified the plan in 2017 and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is responsible for implementing it. The panel has implemented restrictions in Delhi-NCR under GRAP stage 4 after the daily average AQI clocked 441 on Sunday. By 7 pm, Delhi recorded an alarming Air Quality Index (AQI) of 457, placing it in the 'severe plus' category.

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages of air quality — Stage 1 for "poor" Air Quality Index (AQI) ranging between 201 and 300, Stage 2 for "very poor" AQI of 301-400, Stage 3 for "severe" AQI of 401-450 and Stage 4 for "severe plus" AQI more than 450. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 'severe'. These are the restrictions which are suggested in different stages.

GRAP 1

• Stop Garbage burning in landfills & impose a fine for the violation.
• Enforce pollution control measures in the brick kilns industry.
• Water sprinkling on roads and mechanised sweeping.
• Enforce Supreme Court guidelines on cracker ban.

GRAP 2

• Stop the usage of Diesel generators.
• Stop the usage of coal and firewood in the hotel industry.
• Increase the parking fees.
• Increase the availability of public transport for commutation.

GRAP 3

• Close down the brick kilns, stone crushers, hot mix plants.
• Reduce the operation of coal-based power plants and increase generation from natural gas power plants.

Grap 4

• Stop Construction and Demolition work.
• Stop entry of heavy vehicles like trucks in Delhi except for essential commodities.
• Closing schools and banning non-emergency commercial activities.

GRAP 4 Restrictions In Delhi From Today

As per the Commission for Air Quality Management's order, no trucks will be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.

Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for those in essential services, the panel said. All construction activities, including highways, roads, flyovers, power lines, pipelines and other public projects, have been suspended.

The panel has suggested online teaching for the students of Classes 6 to 9 and Class 11. It also recommended that offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) work at 50 per cent capacity, with the rest working from home. Work-from-home options may be introduced for central government employees, the panel said.