GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Environment)

Context: The Government has re-invoked the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage-III curbs in Delhi and NCR

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

• About : 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. 
• Origin: Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 and notified in 2017, the plan was formulated.
• Basis: It is based on a plan that was submitted by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in November 2016. 
• Implementation: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has constituted a sub-committee for the operationalization of the GRAP.
• This body includes officials from the CAQM, member secretaries of pollution control boards of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, the Central Pollution Control Board, a scientist from the IMD and one from the IITM and Health Advisor.

Various Stages

• Stage I (Poor Air Quality - AQI 201-300): Enforce NGT / Hon’ble SC’s order on over aged diesel / petrol vehicles.
• Stage II (Very Poor- AQI 301-400): Implement targeted measures to address air pollution at identified hotspots in the region.

oEnforce controlled operations of Diesel Generators (DG) across all sectors in the NCR.

• Stage III ('Severe'- AQI 401-450): Impose stringent restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in specific areas.

oConsider suspending physical classes in schools for primary grade children up to Class 5.

• Stage IV (Severe Plus- AQI greater than 450): Restrict the entry of four-wheelers registered outside Delhi, with exceptions for electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, BS-VI diesel vehicles, and vehicles transporting essential commodities when the AQI surpasses 450.