The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) recently announced a revision in the existing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to address the escalating air pollution issue in the region. The GRAP lays out a set of emergency measures that activate once air quality deteriorates to a certain level in the Delhi-NCR area.
Research Findings on Air Pollution in India
An eye-opening study published in the journal “Nature” uses machine learning to explore country-level annual air pollutants from 2018 to 2021. The research, carried out using data from Sentinel-5P and Google Earth Engine, reveals that India endured the highest levels of human-induced air pollution during this period.
Understanding the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
The Supreme Court approved GRAP in 2016 following the M. C. Mehta vs. Union of India case. It was officially notified in 2017. Prior to 2021, the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA), appointed by the Supreme Court, ordered the implementation of GRAP measures. However, in 2020, CAQM replaced EPCA and currently oversees the implementation of GRAP based on forecasts by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
REVISed Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
The revised plan categorizes AQI into four stages, with each stage calling for specific corrective actions. Stage I (Poor Air Quality – AQI 201-300) mandates adherence to NGT / Hon’ble SC’s orders concerning old diesel and petrol vehicles. Stage II (Very Poor- AQI 301-400) calls for targeted actions to combat air pollution at identified hotspots and regulates operations of diesel generators across all sectors in NCR. Stage III (‘Severe’- AQI 401-450) strictly limits the use of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in certain areas and may suspend physical classes for primary grade children up to Class 5. Finally, Stage IV (Severe Plus- AQI > 450) prohibits all four-wheelers registered outside Delhi from entering the city unless they’re electric, CNG, BS-VI diesel vehicles or carrying essential commodities.
Understanding The Air Quality Index (AQI)
AQI is a numerical scale used by government agencies to measure and communicate air pollution levels to the public. Higher AQI values indicate higher pollution levels, which can lead to severe adverse health effects for a significant portion of the population.
Government Measures to Combat Air Pollution
Several initiatives have been launched by the Government to tackle air pollution. These include the Delhi-specific GRAP, enforcement of the Polluter Pays Principle, setup of Smog Towers and the Tallest Air Purifier, introduction of BS-VI vehicles, creation of CAQM, and deployment of the Turbo Happy Seeder (THS). Additionally, an Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Dashboard for monitoring air quality, National Air Quality Index (AQI), Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, and the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) are also part of the efforts.