As air quality continues to deteriorate, Delhi faces an ongoing battle with pollution, especially during the winter months. The city’s air quality index (AQI) regularly crosses hazardous levels, particularly in November and December, leading to severe health risks for its residents. To tackle this, the Delhi government will implement GRAP 3 in Delhi (Graded Response Action Plan 3) starting from 15th November 2024, due to the AQI crossing the critical threshold of 300. The goal of this plan is to mitigate the impact of hazardous pollution levels and protect public health. In this blog, we will delve into what GRAP 3 is, its stages, the measures it enforces, and how it aims to control pollution, particularly in the construction sector.
What is GRAP and its Stages?
GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) is a set of emergency measures developed to address air pollution in Delhi and its surrounding regions. The plan operates on a tiered system, with different stages corresponding to varying levels of AQI. The goal is to implement specific measures at each stage to curb pollution and reduce public health risks. The different stages of GRAP are:
● Stage I: Action is triggered when the AQI falls in the range of 201-300, which indicates “poor” to “very poor” air quality.
● Stage II: This is invoked when the AQI reaches between 301 and 400, reflecting “very poor” to “severe” conditions.
● Stage III: The highest stage, implemented when the AQI exceeds 400, which is categorized as “severe” air quality. This stage triggers more stringent measures to reduce pollution levels, with a focus on restricting outdoor activities, vehicle use, and industrial operations.
The governing body responsible for overseeing the implementation of GRAP is the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management), a statutory authority set up by the Government of India. The CAQM coordinates between central and state governments, ensuring that the action plan is followed and making necessary adjustments as required.
GRAP 3 in Delhi – What Does It Mean?
When GRAP 3 in Delhi is triggered, stricter measures will be enforced to control the worsening air quality, especially as the AQI exceeds 300. Under GRAP 3, certain activities will be banned or restricted to reduce emissions and improve air quality. These include:
● Ban on Construction and Demolition Activities:
One of the most significant actions under GRAP 3 is the suspension of all construction and demolition activities that are major sources of dust and particulate matter. This includes residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Construction sites will be expected to adhere to dust control measures, but major operations will be halted.
● Vehicle Restrictions:
Under GRAP 3 in Delhi, non-essential vehicular movement will be restricted. This includes restrictions on heavy vehicles, especially trucks and those running on diesel. The use of private vehicles will be minimized, with a specific focus on limiting vehicle emissions during peak hours. In addition, BS-III diesel and BS-IV petrol vehicles will face restrictions, especially in regions with extremely high pollution levels.
● Industrial and Power Plant Shutdowns:
Certain industrial and power plant operations that rely heavily on fossil fuels will be reduced or shut down to minimize emissions. Factories and industries that contribute to particulate matter and gaseous pollutants will be instructed to follow strict norms or temporarily cease operations.
● Introduction of ‘Odd-Even’ Vehicle Scheme (if needed):
The government may also introduce the ‘Odd-Even’ scheme for private cars, which limits car usage based on the last digit of the registration number. This scheme is typically implemented when pollution levels soar, leading to hazardous air quality.
Measures for Construction Sites – New Mandates
In addition to the measures outlined above, construction sites will have to comply with new, stringent guidelines under GRAP 3 in Delhi to further reduce their contribution to air pollution. The CAQM has mandated the use of low-cost sensor-based particulate matter monitoring systems on larger construction sites. These sensors will provide real-time data on the concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) in the air, allowing authorities to take immediate action when pollution levels spike.
Furthermore, to suppress dust and particulate matter, construction sites will be required to deploy Anti-Smog Guns. These devices work by spraying water mist to trap dust particles in the air, effectively preventing them from becoming airborne and contributing to hazardous pollution levels.
Lastly, to ensure that all activities on construction sites are closely monitored, video fencing will be implemented as a mandatory measure. This will allow real-time monitoring of construction activities, ensuring compliance with environmental guidelines. The introduction of video surveillance helps authorities quickly detect violations of pollution control measures and take swift corrective actions.
Conclusion
With the AQI in Delhi consistently crossing hazardous levels, the implementation of GRAP 3 in Delhi from 15th November 2024 is crucial for protecting public health and reducing the city’s air pollution. The new measures, including vehicle restrictions, the suspension of construction activities, and the introduction of monitoring tools at construction sites, are all part of a larger effort to combat the severe pollution levels that have long plagued Delhi. The CAQM plays a central role in ensuring the effective implementation of these measures, and with the new mandates for construction sites, the government is taking a comprehensive approach to improve air quality in the city. By enforcing these measures, Delhi aims to reduce its AQI levels, ultimately fostering a cleaner and healthier environment for its residents.
