Historically, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has delivered only short-term and modest reductions in air pollution levels. It faces significant limitations in lasting impact. Its overall effectiveness is also limited.
GRAP’s Measurable Impact and Shortcomings
Studies and pollution episode analyses show that GRAP measures such as curbs on construction, vehicular bans, and industrial restrictions can cut particulate pollution (PM2.5) by 15-20% during high-pollution peaks. These interventions, however, often fail to bring air quality to acceptable levels from “very poor” or “severe” categories. Any improvements are temporary. They dissipate once restrictions are lifted or when local sources overwhelm the gains.
Reactive Nature and Timing Issues
GRAP has been criticized for its reactive approach. It is typically imposed only after air pollution reaches hazardous levels. This timing reduces its effectiveness since pollutants are already at unhealthy concentrations. More proactive or sustained actions could help. However, bureaucratic delays and policy inertia often mean that restrictions come too late. These delays prevent the worst smog episodes from being avoided.
Limited Impact of Government Policies
Authorities have implemented several measures. These include the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). GRAP incorporates restrictions such as construction bans, limits on older vehicles, and dust mitigation actions. However, these interventions provide only short-term relief. Execution remains patchy. It is hamstrung by bureaucratic delays and inconsistent enforcement. There is fragmented accountability and insufficient cross-state coordination. This is especially true between Delhi and neighboring states like Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
Policy Implementation and Public Compliance Challenges
Local sources account for over 90% of pollution in Delhi. Estimates indicate this. Stubble burning is often politicized. It distracts from pressing urban sources like vehicles and industries. Funding allocated for clean air programs is often underutilized or delayed, pointing to gaps in administrative capacity and prioritization. Public compliance remains low, with widespread open waste burning and reluctance to switch to cleaner fuels or vehicles.
Also read: Rising Pollution Sparks Protests at India Gate
Lack of Regional, Systemic Approach
Experts note that control measures are frequently reactive and piecemeal rather than systemic or regionally integrated. There is inadequate cooperation among multiple state governments. Each has its own priorities and governance structures. This hinders the adoption of long-term, coordinated strategies required to tackle the problem at scale.
Mixed Results Across Years
There have been instances, such as the winter months of 2018 and 2020. During these times, coordinated GRAP enforcement with timely communication between agencies led to measurable improvement. These efforts provided temporary control over rising pollution. Nevertheless, many recent years—including 2023 and 2024—experienced spikes in pollution levels. This occurred despite GRAP activation. This trend demonstrates the limitations of emergency and sectoral measures. These measures are inadequate when underlying sources like vehicular emissions, construction dust, and regional crop burning persist.
GRAP provides a structured framework for emergency response. It can modestly lower pollution during crisis periods. However, its overall effectiveness is restricted. Delays, over-reliance on short-term fixes, and unchecked external sources limit its impact. Delhi NCR’s air quality crisis requires comprehensive, sustained, and regionally integrated action beyond GRAP to achieve substantial improvement.
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