CAQM announces revision of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to further strengthen measures to combat sudden/ anticipated deterioration of air quality in NCR during winter months
Towards its continued commitment to ameliorate the overall air quality of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has taken significant efforts to abate air pollution and strategically address the air pollution related challenges across different sectors in the region. Moving ahead with this vision and to further strengthen the measures to combat air pollution especially ‘Severe’ and ‘Severe+’ air quality stages generally encountered in NCR during peak winters, the Commission today announced revision in the existing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
The revised GRAP will come into force w.e.f. 01st October, 2023 in the entire NCR. GRAP is an emergency response mechanism based on AQI level of Delhi and brings together multiple stakeholders, implementing agencies and authorities to respond to situations of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.
Following a differentiated approach, GRAP for NCR was formulated after careful consideration of scientific data, stakeholder inputs and expert recommendations and GRAP has now been revised based on the experience and learning of last year. The revised GRAP contains targeted actions that need to be taken by the agencies responsible/ implementing agencies when Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi goes beyond a certain threshold or is expected to go beyond a certain threshold as per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast provided by IMD/ IITM.
The key changes/ revisions in the GRAP schedule include the following:
| Stage I – ‘Poor’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 201-300) |
| Actions |
| Strictly enforce NGT / Hon’ble SC’s order on overaged diesel / petrol vehicles and as per extant statutes. |
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Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 301-400) |
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| Actions | ||||||||||||||||
| Ensure focused and targeted action for abatement of air pollution in all identified hotspots in NCR. Intensify remedial measures for the predominant sector(s) contributing to adverse air quality in each of such hotspots.
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Stage II – ‘Very Poor’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 301-400)
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| Schedule for regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Office establishments etc.
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| Stage III – ‘Severe’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450) |
| Actions |
| NCR State Govts. / GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. |
| State Govts. in NCR and GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes in schools for children up to Class V and conducting classes in an online mode. |
| Stage IV – ‘Severe +’ Air Quality
(DELHI AQI > 450) |
| Actions |
| Do not permit LCVs registered outside Delhi, other than EVs / CNG / BS-VI diesel, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services. |
| NCR State Govts. and GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes even for classes VI – IX, class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode. |
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State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges/ educational institutions and closure of non‑emergency commercial activities, permitting running of vehicles on odd-even basis of registration numbers etc. |
The aforesaid changes indicate only the key amendments in the revised GRAP. The complete details of the revised GRAP are available on the official website of the Commission i.e., caqm.nic.in. The revised GRAP shall serve as a tool towards abatement of adverse air quality in NCR generally witnessed during the winter months.
The Citizen Charter has also been amended to enable citizens to actively contribute towards pollution control measures. CAQM urges citizens to follow the Citizen Charter sincerely towards control and prevention of air pollution in the National Capital Region.