Is GRAP Enough to Curb Pollution?

Context

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after Delhi’s air quality entered the Poor category, raising questions about the effectiveness of emergency pollution control measures.

Key Highlights

• Winter Air Quality Trends: Delhi’s mean winter Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 280 in 2022–23, rose to 304 in 2023 – 24, and then declined to 285 in 2024 – 25 before increasing to 295 in 2025 – 26. This indicates an absence of sustained improvement.
• Frequent GRAP Implementation: According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), Delhi experienced GRAP Stage II or higher on approximately 78 – 83% of observed winter days across the four winters studied.
• Duration of Stricter Restrictions: Delhi recorded 57 days under GRAP Stages III and IV in 2024- 25, compared with 42 days in 2025 – 26 .
• AQI After Stricter Measures: The analysis found that AQI increased in 10 of 12 instances during the seven days following the escalation of GRAP measures. However, this does not establish that GRAP caused the increase.
• Measures Under GRAP: Stage I includes dust-control measures, mechanised road sweeping and action against open waste burning. Higher stages impose progressively stricter restrictions on construction, vehicles and industrial activities.
• Regional Emission Control: CREA recommends reducing emissions at their sources across the wider National Capital Region (NCR) airshed rather than depending primarily on emergency restrictions.

Key Concepts

• Air Quality Index (AQI): A measure of air pollution levels and their potential health impacts.
• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body established under the CAQM Act, 2021, to coordinate air pollution management in Delh NCR.
• Air Shed Approach: A regional approach that recognises air pollution as a shared problem requiring coordinated action across State boundaries.

Way Forward

• Move from emergency restrictions to year round pollution control, targeting vehicles, industries, construction dust and stubble burning.
• Strengthen inter State coordination, scientific monitoring and municipal accountability through measurable targets.