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GRAP Full Form: The full form of GRAP is the Graded Response Action Plan. It is a critical initiative designed to address the mounting challenge of air pollution in India’s National Capital Region (NCR). Implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), GRAP represents a systematic approach to managing and mitigating air quality deterioration.
Table of Contents
Historical Background of GRAP
The origins of GRAP can be traced back to a significant Supreme Court judgment in 2016 – M. C. Mehta v. Union of India. Following this landmark decision, the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) officially notified the plan in 2017. Initially managed by the Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA), GRAP has been implemented by CAQM since 2021.
Core Objectives of GRAP
The Graded Response Action Plan represents a multi-layered strategy to combat air pollution. The primary objectives of GRAP include:
- Providing a coordinated response to air quality degradation
- Establishing clear accountability among various stakeholders
- Protecting public health through targeted pollution control measures
- Creating an efficient monitoring and reporting mechanism
Stages of GRAP: A Tiered Approach to Air Quality Management
GRAP categorizes air pollution severity into four distinct stages based on the Air Quality Index (AQI):
| Stage | Air Quality | PM 2.5 Concentration | PM 10 Concentration | Measures |
| Stage 1 | Moderate to Poor | 61-120 µg/m³ | 101-350 µg/m³ | – Stop garbage burning in landfills – Enforce pollution control in brick kilns and thermal power plants – Implement road cleaning and water sprinkling |
| Stage 2 | Very Poor | 121-250 µg/m³ | 351-430 µg/m³ | – Prohibit diesel generator usage – Stop coal and firewood use in hotels – Increase public transport availability – Alert citizens with respiratory issues |
| Stage 3 | Severe | 250+ µg/m³ | 430+ µg/m³ | – Close brick kilns, stone crushers, and hot mix plants – Reduce coal-based power plant operations – Scale up public transport |
| Stage 4 | Emergency (Severe +) | 300+ µg/m³ | 500+ µg/m³ | – Halt construction and demolition work – Restrict heavy vehicle entry – Implement odd-even vehicle rationing – Potential school closures |
Understanding Air Quality Index (AQI)
AQI is important to GRAP’s implementation. It measures outdoor air quality by monitoring eight primary pollutants:
- Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10)
- Ozone
- Carbon Monoxide
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Sulphur Dioxide
- Lead
- Ammonia
The AQI is categorized into six levels:
- Good (0-50)
- Moderate (51-100)
- Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150)
- Unhealthy (151-200)
- Very Unhealthy (201-300)
- Hazardous (301-500)
The Role of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
CAQM, established in October 2020, replaced EPCA and plays an important role in GRAP’s implementation. Key features include:
- Comprehensive membership including government officials, technical experts, and NGO representative
- Authority to levy environmental compensation
- Power to identify and shut down polluting industrial units
- Conflict resolution among different government bodies
Importance of GRAP
By implementing graduated responses based on pollution levels, GRAP offers a dynamic and responsive approach to environmental management in India’s most polluted region.GRAP is significant because it:
- Provides a structured, proactive approach to air pollution management
- Ensures coordinated action across multiple agencies
- Prioritizes public health protection
- Establishes clear accountability and timelines
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