CONTEXT: The Supreme Court on Thursday relaxed emergency anti-pollution restrictions under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) to the less rigorous GRAP-II level in the National Capital Region (NCR).

But a Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Augustine George Masih asked the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to keep its guard up while emphasising that GRAP-III must kick in if the air quality index (AQI) deteriorated to 350 and to restore GRAP-IV in case the toxicity crossed 400 in the coming winter days. In fact, the court suggested a hybrid system incorporating GRAP-III along with the GRAP-II precautions.

The decision of the apex court to relax GRAP levels was based on submissions made by the CAQM, represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, that AQI levels had improved below the 300 mark since November 30 owing to several meteorological conditions.

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):

• GRAP is a framework designed to combat air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. It was introduced as an emergency response mechanism, and its implementation is triggered when the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches “poor” levels.
• GRAP is particularly important during the winter months when air quality tends to plummet.

Who implements GRAP?

• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas oversees the implementation of GRAP.
• It collaborates with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The CAQM has constituted a sub-committee for the operationalization of the GRAP. This body includes officials from the CAQM, member secretaries of pollution control boards of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, the Central Pollution Control Board, a scientist from the IMD, one from the IITM, and a Health Advisor.
• The sub-committee is required to meet frequently to issue orders to invoke the GRAP.

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM):

• The CAQM is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021.
• Mandate: Better coordination, research, identification, and resolution of problems surrounding the air quality index and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
• It undertakes action for the prevention and control of Air pollution in Delhi-NCR & Adjoining Areas which impacts the air quality of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
• The Commission is required to coordinate its actions on monitoring of air quality with the government of Delhi and the adjoining states, which includes Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• AQI was launched in October 2014 to disseminate information on air quality in an easily understandable form for the general public.
• AQI has been developed for eight pollutants PM2.5, PM10, Ammonia, Lead, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, ozone, and carbon monoxide.

PRELIMS PYQ

1. In the cities of our country, which among the following atmospheric gases are normally considered in calculating the value of Air Quality Index? (2016)
2. Carbon dioxide
3. Carbon monoxide
4. Nitrogen dioxide
5. Sulphur dioxide
6. Methane

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only

(b) 2, 3 and 4 only