Why is it in discussion?
Recently it has been implemented in Delhi.
Grap is an acronym for the Graded Response Action Plan. It is a set of emergency measures that are implemented incrementally in Delhi-NCR when air quality deteriorates beyond a certain threshold. The plan was approved by the Supreme Court of India in 2016 and notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in 2017.
GRAP is implemented in four stages, depending on the severity of air pollution:
- Stage 1: AQI ‘Poor’ (201 to 300)
- Stage 2: AQI ‘Very poor’ (301 to 400)
- Stage 3: AQI ‘Severe’ (401 to 450)
- Stage 4: AQI ‘Severe +’ (above 450)
The measures that are implemented under each stage of GRAP include:
- Stage 1: Ban on construction and demolition activities, mechanised sweeping of roads, and strict enforcement of pollution control norms for industries and vehicles.
- Stage 2: Ban on entry of diesel trucks into Delhi, closure of brick kilns and stone crushers, and work from home for government employees.
- Stage 3: Closure of schools, odd-even number vehicle rationing, and ban on all construction and demolition activities.
- Stage 4: Emergency measures such as shutdown of power plants, industries, and educational institutions.
GRAP is implemented by a number of agencies, including the Central Pollution Control Board, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority, and the state governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
GRAP has been credited with improving air quality in Delhi-NCR to some extent. However, the plan has also been criticized for being ineffective and for not doing enough to address the root causes of air pollution, such as vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.