Graded Response Action Plan

Context: AQI has been dropping in Delhi leading to the initiation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

About GRAP:

• The Graded Response Action Plan is a series of emergency measures to tackle air pollution in Delhi once AQI reaches a certain threshold.
• It was created on the basis of the Supreme Court’s orders in M.C. Mehta v. Union of India (2016).

Actions taken under GRAP:

Implementation:

• Till 2020, Supreme Court appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority used to order states to implement GRAP measures.
• From 2021 onwards, GRAP is being implemented by Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining areas (CAQM).

National Air Quality Index

• It is a measure of air quality where the higher the number, the worse the air.
• There are 6 categories of AQI: ‘Good’ (0-50), ‘Satisfactory’ (50-100), ‘Moderately polluted’ (100-200), ‘Poor’ (200-300), ‘Very Poor’ (300-400), and ‘Severe’ (400-500).
• Pollutants measured:
  • PM10
  • PM2.5
  • Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2)
  • Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
  • Carbon Monoxide
  • Ozone 
  • Ammonia (NH3)
  • Lead (Pb)
• It is considered as ‘One Number-One Color-One Description’ to know the air quality in an area.
• It was launched by the Central Government as part of Swachh Bharat mission in 2014.