GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi-NCR amid severe air pollution

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• What is Graded Response Action Plan?
• What is Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)?
• News Summary: GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi-NCR amid severe air pollution
• What measures does GRAP Stage 4 entail?

Why in news?

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.
• This was invoked after the National Capital Region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorating to the ‘severe’ category.

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Graded Response Action Plan

• About
  • 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 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.
• Nature
• 
  • GRAP is incremental in nature and thus, when the air quality dips from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor,’ measures listed under both sections have to be followed.
  • Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘poor’ category (201 to 300);
  • Stage 2 is when it’s in the ‘Very poor’ category (301-400);
  • Stage 3 is when the AQI is the ‘Severe’ category (401-450); and
  • Stage 4 is when it rises to the ‘Severe +’ category (more than 450).

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)

• CAQM is a statutory body formed under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
• The commission aims at better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems related to air quality in NCR and adjoining areas.

News Summary: GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi-NCR amid severe air pollution

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR.
• The decision was made to curb air pollution and prevent further deterioration of air quality.

What measures does GRAP Stage 4 entail?

• A central panel directed authorities to prohibit the use of diesel four-wheelers that are not BS-VI compliant, as well as the entry of trucks in Delhi.
  • The BS or Bharat Stage emission standards are instituted by the government to regulate the output of air pollutants from motor vehicles from internal combustion engine equipment.
  • The BS-VI fuel was estimated to bring around an 80% reduction of sulphur, from 50 parts per million to 10 ppm.
• Petrol cars can continue to ply as usual.
• Construction and demolition activities, including those on linear public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, pipelines and power lines, which were previously allowed to continue, will also be banned.
• The state governments in the NCR may decide to discontinue physical classes for classes 6 to 9 and class 11, and conduct lessons online.
• Moreover, the governments may also decide on whether to allow public, private, and municipal offices to work on 50% strength.
• State governments may also consider other emergency measures like closure of colleges and other educational institutions, and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting vehicles to run on an odd-even basis.
• The central government may make an appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees working in central government offices.

Q1) What is Air Quality Index (AQI)?

An air quality index (AQI) is an indicator developed by government agencies to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become.

Q2) What is Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA)?

The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) is a statutory body tasked with tackling air pollution in the National Capital Region. The EPCA was constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

Source: GRAP Stage 4 implemented in Delhi-NCR amid severe air pollution: What does it mean? | CAQM | Hindustan Times | Times of India