GRAP 4 refers to Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures implemented in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to combat severe air pollution during winter months. GRAP was devised by the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and later managed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to tackle varying levels of pollution effectively.
What is GRAP 4?
GRAP 4 is the highest level of alert under the plan, activated when air quality deteriorates to the ‘Severe+’ (Emergency) category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 450.
This stage indicates that the air quality is hazardous for all groups, posing significant health risks.
Key Measures Under GRAP 4
To reduce emissions immediately and protect public health, the following steps are enforced:
Industrial Restrictions:
Complete ban on non-essential industrial operations in pollution-intensive sectors using non-clean fuels.
Closure of brick kilns, hot mix plants, and stone crushers.
Construction and Demolition Ban:
Halt on all construction and demolition activities across NCR, with strict monitoring.
Exceptions are provided only for public interest projects, like hospitals or metro construction.
Vehicular Restrictions:
Entry of diesel trucks into Delhi is stopped, except for essential services.
Ban on diesel vehicles, especially older BS-III and BS-IV models, unless they meet stringent norms.
Schools and Offices:
Schools may be closed, and outdoor activities curtailed to protect children.
Advisory for work-from-home to reduce vehicular emissions.
Public Transport Promotion:
Deployment of additional buses and metro trains to encourage the use of public transport.
Carpooling and shared mobility options are promoted.
Waste Burning Prohibition:
Strict ban on open waste burning, with penalties for violations.
Thermal Plant Regulations:
Temporary closure of coal-based thermal power plants in and around Delhi.
Impact and Challenges
While GRAP 4 measures are effective in providing temporary relief, they often serve as reactive solutions rather than addressing long-term causes like stubble burning, vehicular pollution, and industrial emissions.
Implementation challenges, such as monitoring violations and ensuring public compliance, reduce its efficacy.
Why GRAP 4 is Important?
GRAP 4 is a critical response to Delhi’s recurrent air pollution crisis, aiming to prevent further degradation of air quality and safeguard public health during the most hazardous periods. However, its success depends on coordinated efforts between authorities, industries, and citizens.
Delhi’s severe pollution levels have serious health impacts on its residents, with air pollution being a leading concern. Prolonged exposure to high levels of pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide can cause and exacerbate respiratory issues, including asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This toxic air quality can also lead to cardiovascular problems, as pollutants can inflame blood vessels and increase blood pressure.
Studies show that the risk of lung cancer is also heightened, while the immune system may weaken over time, making individuals more susceptible to infections. Children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions are especially vulnerable, with effects ranging from reduced lung development in children to increased hospital admissions among seniors. In addition to physical health, poor air quality has been linked to mental health issues like anxiety and depression, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to combat Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
The people of India have been fighting courageously against Covid-19 pandemic. They have applied all possible measures to defeat the virus, but one of the most important issues has been overlooked. The overlooked issue is air pollution, to curb this issue the Delhi Government has announced “Switch Delhi Campaign” on Feb 4, 2021. This is an eight week long campaign to sensitize Delhiites about the advantages of electric vehicles. This campaign was launched to encourage the utility of electric vehicles in the state, it is going to educate people about the benefits of electric vehicles (EV) and their contribution towards making the environment clean and pollution-free.
Delhi Government declared that it is the high time to adopt this campaign as the air quality of the state is worsening day by day. A mass movement is required to form an allied commitment to reduce pollution by purchasing Electric Vehicles. The aim of the Delhi Government is to inform, encourage and motivate people to swap zero-emission electric vehicles from polluting vehicles. The government further added that people making the switch will get many benefits. Also, all the government departments are going to switch to electric cars within the coming six months.
A Deeper Dive into Electric Vehicle Policy
To minimize the vehicular pollution, the Electric Vehicle Policy in August,2020 was announced by the Delhi Government. The vision to run at least 25% electric vehicles by 2024 is commendable.
HIGHLIGHTS
Highest incentive on the purchase of EVs among all the states
Maximum 30,000 rupees subsidy on two wheelers
Maximum 1,50,000 rupees subsidy on four wheelers
Subsidy in bank account within 3 days of purchase
Target of 5,00,000 registrations in 5 years
Free road tax and registration fees
100 public charging station across each city
Scrapping incentive for exchanging petrol or diesel run vehicles
RWAs, big companies, market associations, malls and cinema halls could play a leading role for this campaign by setting up charging stations in their premises.
Role of Youth
The Delhi Government has requested the youth to adopt EVs as this initiative could bring a big difference. Youth is the backbone of any nation who plays a prominent role in development. The Delhi Government has also appealed to youth to buy EVs as their first vehicle. Youth in India constitutes around 35% of the total pollution. Therefore social reforms and improvement can be largely brought by the youth in a country like India. Their participation aids to achieve the goals towards progress.
E-Mobility
E-mobility represents the concept of electric vehicles run by electric motors which gets power from energy stored in batteries. Instead of an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), EVs have electric motors causing zero tailpipe emission. Such vehicles do not contain components like fuel line, fuel pump or fuel tank.
According to a recent research for electric vehicles in India, Every year, a mere 5 percent conversion of cars to electric vehicles will save 45 lakh liters of fuel. Even after considering the pollution generated by the generation of electricity, it is also found that each e-bike can save up to 350 kg of CO2 emissions each year. In addition to being cost-effective, the adoption of electric two-wheelers would also be the most affordable product in the whole world. There is no need for any lubricant or costly engine oil for electric two-wheelers, unlike diesel or petrol vehicles.
The National Mobility Electrification Mission will see its best implementation in the area of bus transport. Cluster charging solutions will be offered by the network of parking spaces and terminals throughout the country. To make mobility seamless, micro-grids should be added to this network. Two wheelers along with three wheelers majorly contribute to two-thirds of Delhi’s pollution. The focus on their electronic transition will tremendously benefit air quality.
Benefits of choosing EVs over ICE :
Economical
Improves air quality
Convenience
Incentives from government
Meanwhile other Major Initiatives to Promote Electric Vehicle Policy
A startup based in Bengaluru manufactures electric two-wheelers out of scratch. It uses comprehensive in-house made in India products right from its surface design, chassis design, battery formation to motor development.
The Delhi Government will soon facilitate e-autos registration that can economize up to 29,000 INR in contrast with CNG equivalents. Autos contribute majorly to vehicular emission therefore electronic transition of this segment needs to be focused with a strict action plan.
The Delhi Government has been promoting e-rickshaws by providing a subsidy of 30,000 INR for the last few years. The same subsidy has been perpetuated to e-carts and e-autos. Availability of scraping incentive of 7,500 INR is also there.
An Indian electric vehicle manufacturer, unveiled a two-wheeler at India Auto Show 2021 in Mumbai. By supporting Delhi government’s ‘’Switch Delhi” initiative, the company claims that their new edition will be the accurate fit for Indian roads at a cost-efficient price. It is a great step to raise awareness of EVs to combat the air pollution.
An electric vehicle cab service is soon going to launch in Delhi-NCR. It will offer 100% electric cab services and stress on providing affordable, clean and comfortable rides. This app would be launched in collaboration with Tata. Tata Power is setting up 5 fast charger and 30 slow charger points in Delhi-NCR. This infrastructure will let taxi drivers charge their car batteries at places like Greater Kailash, Khan Market, Moti Bagh, Connaught Place, Jor Bagh and ChanakyaPuri.
A Major Transition
Transition to electric vehicles is not only about meeting low carbon goals but to solve complicated problems like energy security, air pollution and job creation. Advancement of electric mobility aims at solving multiple issues prevailing in India, along with revitalization of the automobile industry.
We are very grateful to the Delhi Government for the implementation of a much needed policy that covers key measures to move in the correct direction. This policy could become a game changer if the cabs and other public vehicles switch to zero-emission electric vehicles. It is a holistic approach to make the nation ‘Clean and Green’. This motive can only be achieved if all of us join hands together in order to combat pollution. Apart from this, enhanced industry cooperation and greater consumer awareness can foster the adoption of EVs in India.
