CAQM Approves Revised GRAP Schedule; Tightens Measures for Vehicles, Dust and Pollution Control

Key Highlights:

• The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) approved a revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) schedule for the National Capital Region (NCR).
• The revised GRAP tightens measures for vehicles, dust, and pollution control, moving restrictions on DG Sets and BS-IV buses to Stage-I.
• Restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) are extended to Sonipat, in addition to Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
• Exemptions for BS-IV and below goods vehicles carrying essential commodities are removed in GRAP Stage-III and IV.
• The revised GRAP now comprises a total of 48 actions across its four stages.
• CAQM also expanded web portal-based monitoring of dust control measures for Construction & Demolition (C&D) sites to include projects beyond municipal limits.
• Two full-time Technical Members, Shri Mukesh Sharma and Shri Trilok Singh Panwar, were appointed to CAQM for a three-year term.

Detailed Insights:

• The modifications to the GRAP schedule aim to implement more stringent and proactive measures to combat air pollution in the NCR.
• Moving certain restrictions to Stage-I signifies an earlier intervention strategy, allowing for quicker responses to deteriorating air quality.
• The extension of vehicle restrictions to more areas and removal of exemptions for goods vehicles indicate a broader and stricter enforcement approach.
• Expanding C&D site monitoring ensures comprehensive coverage of dust-generating activities, a significant contributor to air pollution.
• The appointment of full-time Technical Members is expected to strengthen CAQM's expert capacity and decision-making processes.
• CAQM reviewed progress on greening and plantation activities, noting significant achievements against targets in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh (NCR), and Rajasthan (NCR).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body responsible for air quality management in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): A set of emergency measures implemented in the NCR to combat air pollution based on the severity of air quality.
• Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards: Government-mandated emission standards for internal combustion engines, regulating the output of air pollutants from motor vehicles.
• National Capital Region (NCR): A planning region centered on the National Capital Territory of Delhi, encompassing several districts from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.