Delhi NCR Pollution

In view of the improvement in air pollution levels in Delhi NCR, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the removal of Phase-4 and Phase-3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This decision has allowed many stalled works to resume. However, Phase-2 and Phase-1 of GRAP will still remain in force.

Decision to remove GRAP-4 and GRAP-3

The Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi-NCR to remove the provisions of GRAP-4. The court took this decision keeping in mind the improvement in Delhi’s air quality.

• What did the court say?
  The Supreme Court said that permission to go down from GRAP-2 cannot be given. However, the Commission has been given the flexibility to include some additional measures under GRAP-3.
• When will GRAP-4 be implemented?
  If the Air Quality Index (AQI) goes above 400, GRAP-4 will have to be implemented immediately.

Delhi’s air improves, but monitoring is necessary

There has been improvement in the air quality of Delhi-NCR in the last two days. However, the Supreme Court has asked for constant monitoring of the air pollution situation. The court ordered that if AQI goes above 350, GRAP-3 will have to be implemented immediately.

What will change with the removal of GRAP-4?

With the withdrawal of GRAP-4 and GRAP-3, many activities will resume in Delhi-NCR. There were several restrictions while GRAP-4 was in place, including:

1. Prohibition on construction and demolition works: Now construction work will resume in many sectors.
2. Restrictions on diesel generators: With the withdrawal of GRAP-3 and 4, other options for power generation will become active again.
3. Restrictions on vehicles: The restrictions imposed on commercial and private vehicles will now be reduced.

What is it and what do its steps do?

GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) is a phased plan to tackle air pollution, which is implemented based on air quality.

• GRAP Step-1: Applicable when AQI is above 200.
• GRAP Step-2: AQI above 300.
• GRAP Step-3: AQI close to 400.
• GRAP Step-4: AQI above 400, when the situation is serious.

What is the plan ahead?

The Supreme Court has made it clear that regular analysis of the pollution situation is necessary.

• Strict instructions to the Commission:
  If air quality deteriorates, GRAP-3 and GRAP-4 will have to be implemented immediately.
• Long term measures:
  The Supreme Court has advised the government and agencies to focus on long-term measures so that there can be a permanent improvement in the air pollution situation.