Body on Air Quality Revises GRAP Rules Amid Delhi-NCR Pollution Crisis

Key Highlights

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has amended the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle the worsening pollution in Delhi-NCR.
• New rules include mandatory closure of physical classes for students up to Class V under GRAP-III and Class XI under GRAP-IV.
• Face masks have been made mandatory outdoors, and staggered office timings have been recommended under GRAP-III.

Amendments to GRAP Rules

1. School Closures:
   • GRAP-III: Mandatory closure of physical classes for students up to Class V.
   • GRAP-IV: Extends closure to Class XI.
   • Previously, state governments had discretion over school closures, but now it is mandatory under these stages of GRAP.
2. Staggered Office Timings:
   • To reduce vehicular emissions, the CAQM suggested NCR states implement staggered work timings for public offices and municipal bodies.
3. Mandatory Face Masks:
   • Citizens must wear face masks outdoors to mitigate exposure to hazardous air.
4. Construction and Transport Bans:
   • All construction activities are prohibited.
   • Only essential trucks and vehicles using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric) are allowed in Delhi.
   • Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are prohibited unless they are EVs or run on clean fuel.

Judicial and Regulatory Push

• The Supreme Court had earlier directed Delhi-NCR states to establish enforcement teams for strict compliance with GRAP Stage 4 curbs, regardless of AQI fluctuations below the 450 threshold.
• The court emphasized the constitutional duty of the Centre and states to ensure a pollution-free environment for citizens.

Current Pollution Levels

• Delhi recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 493, the season’s highest, with 13 monitoring stations reporting AQI readings at the extreme levels of 499-500.
• The ‘severe’ category AQI has become persistent, indicating hazardous conditions that can cause respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

Implications of Amended GRAP Rules

• These measures highlight a stricter response mechanism to protect public health during the pollution crisis.
• They also reflect a shift towards preemptive mandatory actions rather than discretionary state decisions.
• However, the enforcement of these rules and their effectiveness in mitigating pollution remain critical challenges.

Conclusion

With Delhi-NCR grappling with severe air pollution, the revised GRAP measures are a crucial step in mitigating its impact. Stricter implementation and innovative long-term solutions are needed to ensure sustainable air quality improvement.