GRAP Stage II Invoked in Delhi-NCR as AQI Crosses 300
Why in the news
CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) triggered Stage II of the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) as Delhi-NCR’s AQI went above 300, the “very poor” band.
About GRAP
- A stage-wise, preemptive plan with specific actions at each AQI level.
- Dates from 2017, issued on Supreme Court directions and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- CAQM last revised it in December 2024, adding forecast-driven steps using IMD and IITM data.
GRAP stages
| Stage | Category | AQI | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Poor | 201 to 300 | Dust control, waste removal, vehicle norm enforcement |
| II | Very Poor | 301 to 400 | Mechanical sweeping, C&D monitoring, DG set rules |
| III | Severe | 401 to 450 | Curbs on BS-III/IV vehicles and construction |
| IV | Severe+ | Above 450 | No entry for trucks, work-from-home orders, C&D stopped |
About AQI
- A numerical scale showing how clean or polluted air is and its health effects.
- Developed by the CPCB under MoEFCC; launched in 2014 as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan; slogan: “One Number, One Colour, One Description”.
- Based on 8 pollutants under NAMP: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3 and Pb.
Exam angle
- Stage II range: 301 to 400.
- Body invoking GRAP: CAQM.