GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN (GRAP)
A revised action plan to fight the serious challenge of air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has come into force after a sudden dip in air quality in the capital and its neighbouring areas. GRAP 2 is in place.
The GRAP is a step-by-step plan to counter Delhi-NCR’s deteriorating air quality.
Moreover, the plan is incremental and adaptable, which means the preventive measures will be updated and escalated according to changes in the AQI.
IS GRAP APPLICABLE TO DELHI NCR ONLY?
States in the National Capital Region were directed to be ready to implement actions under the ‘emergency’ category of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to control air pollution.
WHEN WAS GRAP IMPLEMENTED?
It was approved by the Supreme Court in 2016 in pursuance to Supreme Court order in M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India. and notified by the Union Environment Ministry in 2017.
It was formulated by the Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control Authority (EPCA) jointly with the Delhi government in 2017.
It is administered by Commission for Air Quality Management.
11 POINT ACTION PLAN UNDER GRAP 2
- Carry out mechanical/ vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads on a daily basis.
- Ensure water sprinkling along with the use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust, especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, vulnerable areas, and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills.
- Intensify inspections for strict enforcement of dust control measures at C&D sites.
- 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.
- Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage the use of alternate power Generating sets/ equipment (DG sets etc.).
- Strictly implement the schedule for regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors in the NCR including Industrial, Commercial, Residential, and offices.
- Synchronize traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections/traffic congestion points for a smooth flow of traffic.
- Alert in newspapers / TV/radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do’s and Don’ts for minimizing polluting activities.
- Enhance Parking fees to discourage private transport.
- Augment CNG/ electric bus and metro services by inducting additional fleets and increasing the frequency of service.
- Resident Welfare Associations to necessarily provide electric heaters to security staff to avoid open Bio-Mass and MSW burning during winters.
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