Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) | UPSC CSE

Why in News: Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has recently crossed danger levels, prompting authorities to activate the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — a structured set of emergency measures designed to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.

What is GRAP?

• The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a dynamic emergency framework that prescribes graded measures to tackle air pollution depending on the severity of the AQI levels.
• It was first notified in January 2017 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), following Supreme Court directives on controlling Delhi’s chronic air pollution problem.
• The plan acts as a trigger-based system, automatically enforcing stricter actions as air quality worsens.

Implementation and Oversight

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas oversees the implementation of GRAP.
• A Sub-Committee of CAQM has been constituted to operationalize GRAP.

Sub-Committee Composition:

Includes representatives from:

• CAQM
• Pollution Control Boards of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan
• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
• India Meteorological Department (IMD)
• Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
• Health Advisor

The Sub-Committee meets regularly and issues orders to activate the relevant stage of GRAP.
In case of conflicting directions, CAQM’s orders override State Government directives.

Revised Measures under GRAP (as per AQI levels)

Stage	AQI Range	Category	Key Measures
Stage I	201–300	Poor	– Enforce NGT / Supreme Court orders on banning over-aged diesel/petrol vehicles. – Control road dust and open waste burning. – Promote use of public transport.
Stage II	301–400	Very Poor	– Intensify pollution control at identified hotspots. – Strict enforcement of construction dust control norms. – Increase frequency of mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling. – Promote remote working and staggered office timings.
Stage III	401–450	Severe	– Ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in select areas. – Possible suspension of primary classes (up to Class 5). – Ban on construction activities (except public utility projects).
Stage IV	>450	Severe Plus / Emergency	– Ban entry of non-essential four-wheelers registered outside Delhi, except EVs, CNG, and BS-VI diesel vehicles. – Closure of schools, colleges, and non-essential construction work. – Stop movement of trucks (except essential goods).

Supporting Data and Enforcement

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) publishes the Daily AQI Bulletin that guides GRAP stage activation.
• Air quality monitoring is done through Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) across Delhi-NCR.
• CPCB classifies AQI from 0–500, where 0–50 = Good, and >450 = Severe+.

Why GRAP Matters

• Delhi-NCR faces seasonal smog due to a mix of vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stubble burning.
• GRAP acts as a preventive mechanism, ensuring timely escalation of measures instead of ad hoc responses.
• It represents India’s first structured air-quality emergency protocol, integrating scientific forecasting (IMD/IITM) with real-time enforcement.

Source: PIB

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