What is GRAP for air pollution in Delhi?

Schemes and Local Policies
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Every year, around late October, the air quality gets terrible in Delhi. A dense layer of smoke, fog and other pollutants takes over the city like a blanket. Long exposure to this air can be harmful to one’s health.

The responsibility to improve our city’s air quality lies with all of us. The government can make rules and regulations, monitor its progress and ensure penalties are placed. It is our responsibility as citizens to support the government through different actions we can take. One of them is to first understand what the regulations are and then report if we see any that are being broken.

In Delhi, to curb air pollution, a Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is put in place. GRAP has four phases and each phase places different rules and regulations to ensure Delhi’s air quality isn’t worsened. It is implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and they are supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

Here is what each stage mandates:

1. Stage 1: For AQI 201-300, restrictions are placed to ensure dust is controlled, advisories are placed for construction sites and a ban is placed on open burning of waste or wood for heat
2. Stage 2: For AQI 301-400, water sprinkling on roads begins to settle the dust and cleaning is enhanced
3. Stage 3: For AQI 401-450, heavy vehicles are not allowed within city limits and industrial activity is reduced too
4. Stage 4: For AQI above 450, restrictions include school and office closures, shutting construction work and limiting vehicles on the road

What is “AQI”?

AQI stands for Air Quality Index. The AQI is calculated based on air pollutant concentrations over a specific period, and the results are categorised into ranges with corresponding health advisories.

According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between 0 and 50 is “Good”, 51 and 100 “Satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “Moderate”, 201 and 300 “Poor”, 301 and 400 “Very Poor”, 401 and 450 “Severe” and over 450 as “Severe +”.

Want to create your own DIY solution ? Read more to build your own air quality monitor
Source: Business Standard (Binay Sinha, 2023)

Here is what you can do to help improve the city’s air quality:

  1. Identify which stage of GRAP is in action

  2. Notice construction work, burning waste, industrial activity or vehicle movement in your neighbourhood
    3. If there is any activity outside the GRAP stage, report it in the following sources:

  3. Report the complaint on the Central Pollution Control Board’s website here: CPCB | Central Pollution Control Board

  4. Download their “Sameer” mobile application and report your complaint here

  5. Tag them on Twitter (here: x.com) and Facebook (here: Redirecting...)

  6. You should receive a response within 24 hours. If you do not, send an email at aircomplaints.cpcb@nic.in asking for an update.

Share these details with a friend or family member - the more we know and report, the better it is for all of us!

Here is where you can read more about GRAP: https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/explained-what-is-grap-and-how-does-it-combat-air-pollution-in-delhi-ncr-123102500329_1.html

And here’s an article what other solutions the government is trying to implement: Delhi's air pollution crisis: What the odd-even rule can, or cannot, address - Citizen Matters