Why in News?
Due to “very poor” air quality in Delhi, the Delhi Government ordered all government and private offices to operate with 50% staff strength, with remaining employees working from home. This direction is part of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)—a set of emergency measures to control severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Description:
What is GRAP:
A. Background:
- Introduced in 2017 following a Supreme Court order based on recommendations of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority – EPCA.
- Now implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for Delhi-NCR.
B. Objective:
- To enforce stepwise, pre-defined actions when air quality deteriorates to specific AQI bands.
- Designed to prevent deterioration, not merely respond after severe pollution hits.
C. Stages of GRAP:
| Stage | AQI Range | Category | Key Measures |
| Stage I | 201–300 | Poor | Ban on fireworks, mechanized sweeping, regulate dust, enforce pollution under control (PUC) |
| Stage II | 301–400 | Very Poor | Ban on diesel generators, increase parking fees, enhance buses/metro frequency |
| Stage III | 401–450 | Severe | 50% staff in offices, ban construction (except essential), closure of stone crushers, restrict industrial operations |
| Stage IV | >450 | Severe+ / Emergency | Ban entry of non-essential trucks, closure of schools/colleges, halt construction entirely, halt non-emergency industrial work |
3. CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board):
A. Constitutional/Legal Basis:
- Statutory body under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
- Powers expanded under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
B. Key Functions:
- Monitoring ambient air and water quality across India.
- Enforcing pollution control norms through State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs).
- Declares Air Quality Index (AQI) categories.
- Prepares annual reports, national emission inventories, and standards for noise, air, and water.
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