New Delhi – In a significant development for air quality management in the National Capital Region, the Commission for Air Quality Management has formally revised the Graded Response Action Plan schedule, bringing several GRAP 4 measures under Stage 3 implementation. This major revision comes days after the Supreme Court permitted modifications to the pollution control framework, marking a proactive shift in how Delhi-NCR addresses its recurring air quality crisis. The changes aim to implement stricter pollution control measures at earlier stages rather than waiting for air quality to deteriorate to dangerous levels.
The main pollution control watchdog in Delhi-NCR, CAQM, finalized these revisions following apex court orders dated November 21, which observed that the Commission should take proactive actions based on stakeholder consultations for preventing further deterioration of air quality in the region. The revised framework represents a fundamental change in approach, emphasizing preventive action over reactive measures.
Understanding the Revised GRAP Framework
GRAP is a set of pollution-control restrictions that take effect in stages as air quality deteriorates across the National Capital Region. With Delhi already under GRAP Stage III, most pollution curbs have been implemented, but the new revisions mean that GRAP 4 measures will now activate much earlier than previously mandated. This cascading effect ensures that more aggressive interventions begin before air quality reaches critical levels.
The revised system works on a cascading principle: GRAP 4 measures will be implemented when GRAP Stage 3 is enforced (AQI 401-450), Stage 3 measures will be implemented at Stage 2 (AQI 301-400), and Stage 2 advisories will activate at Stage 1 (AQI 201-300). This systematic downward shift means pollution control actions begin at substantially better air quality levels than before.
Supreme Court Hearings Trigger Policy Change
The changes were triggered after crucial hearings in the Supreme Court on November 17 and 19. The court’s November 21 order specifically noted that CAQM should engage in consultations with stakeholders for preventing further air quality deterioration. Following this directive, CAQM held comprehensive consultations with all relevant departments on November 20 before finalizing the framework revisions, ensuring a collaborative approach to pollution management.
Work-From-Home Provisions Under GRAP 4 Measures
One of the most significant GRAP 4 measures now being implemented at Stage 3 is the work-from-home provision. The order states that NCR governments can now take decisions on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength with the remainder working from home. This measure, which previously required air quality to reach Stage 4 levels (AQI above 450), will now activate when AQI remains between 401 and 450.
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Similarly, the central government may decide to implement work-from-home arrangements for central government employees under GRAP-3, one full stage earlier than the previous framework. This change affects millions of employees across the Delhi-NCR region and represents a major shift in how authorities balance economic activity with public health concerns during pollution episodes.
Educational Implications and Student Safety
While the revised GRAP 4 measures do not include new instructions specifically for whether schools will permit online classes, existing GRAP 3 rules already provide provisions for remote learning. Students up to Class 5 are currently allowed to attend their classes from home under these provisions, protecting young children from exposure to hazardous air quality levels during their commute and outdoor activities.
Staggered Office Timings Implemented Earlier
Another crucial change in the GRAP 4 measures involves staggered office timings for government and municipal bodies. These timings will now begin at an earlier stage than before across Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. This measure, which earlier came under Stage 3 of GRAP, has now been moved to GRAP Stage 2, meaning it will activate when AQI is between 301 and 400 rather than waiting for worse conditions.
Staggered timings help reduce vehicular congestion during peak hours, one of the major contributors to air pollution in the densely populated region. By spreading out commute times, the measure aims to reduce the concentration of vehicle emissions during traditional rush hours.
Immediate Implementation Mandate
The CAQM has emphasized that these changes are effective immediately, leaving no room for delayed compliance. “All agencies responsible for implementation of GRAP are now required to take note of the modifications made in the Schedule of GRAP and implement the same immediately,” the order clearly states. This urgent directive underscores the seriousness with which authorities are approaching the air quality crisis.
Current Air Quality Status
Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 360 in the ‘very poor’ category at 9 am on Saturday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. The changes, finalized on November 21, bring stricter GRAP 4 measures to earlier stages of the short-term action plan, ensuring more robust responses before air quality reaches emergency levels.
GRAP functions as an emergency response mechanism for the entire NCR, based on average AQI levels and forecasts for meteorological conditions in Delhi. The framework brings together multiple stakeholders, implementing agencies and authorities in NCR to respond to situations of deteriorating air quality in the region, making it a comprehensive collaborative effort to protect public health and environmental quality in one of the world’s most polluted metropolitan areas.
