What Is GRAP 4 in Delhi Stage IV Pollution Emergency Explained
New Delhi — [Date] — As Delhi’s air quality breaches critical levels, authorities have once again invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — commonly referred to as GRAP 4. Here’s what this means, why it matters and how it affects daily life in the national capital and surrounding areas.
What Is GRAP?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was developed to tackle severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR using a tiered system of emergency measures, based on how bad air quality becomes.
- It was approved following expert consultation and has been in use since 2017.
- GRAP classifies air quality into four stages depending on the Air Quality Index (AQI):
- Stage I: Poor (AQI 201–300)
- Stage II: Very Poor (AQI 301–400)
- Stage III: Severe (AQI 401–450)
- Stage IV: Severe + (AQI above 450)
What Triggers GRAP 4?
Stage IV is invoked when air pollution levels are particularly dangerous — when the AQI crosses the “severe plus” threshold, indicating a major public health risk.
- For instance, when AQI rose above 450 in past episodes, GRAP 4 curbs were imposed.
- According to regulators, a key factor in triggering GRAP 4 is adverse weather conditions such as low wind speed or thermal inversion (which traps pollutants near the ground).
What Restrictions Apply Under GRAP 4?
When Stage IV is in force, several strict measures are imposed across Delhi-NCR:
- Ban on certain vehicles
- Entry of trucks into Delhi is prohibited unless they carry essential goods or are running on cleaner fuels (CNG, LNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric).
- Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi but not using clean fuels are restricted except for essential services.
- Medium and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) registered in Delhi that use older diesel (BS-IV or lower) are also banned (except for essential services).
- Construction & infrastructure
- All construction and demolition (C&D) activities are suspended. This includes major public infrastructure projects like highways, flyovers, telecom lines, pipelines, etc.
- Schools & work
- Physical classes are halted for all students except those in Class 10 and 12; the rest switch to online mode.
- Public and private offices may be asked to function at 50% capacity, with the rest allowed to work from home.
- Other possible measures
- While not always invoked, potential additional actions include odd-even vehicle restrictions, closure of non-essential commercial activities, and more stringent transport rules.
Why GRAP 4 Matters: Health, Pollution & Policy Implications
Criticisms & Challenges
While GRAP 4 is essential during pollution emergencies, several challenges remain:
- Public Confusion: According to reporting, frequent shifts between GRAP stages (2, 3, 4) cause confusion among citizens, particularly around traffic rules and compliance.
- Implementation Lag: Critics argue that authorities sometimes delay activation, even when AQI warrants stricter curbs.
- Economic Impact: Restricting construction and heavy vehicles affects businesses and workers in logistics, construction and allied sectors.
- Sustainability Question: GRAP 4 is a reactive measure; without long-term structural reforms (better public transport, emission control, stubble burning mitigation), the problem recurs.
Can GRAP 4 Help Clean the Air?
According to experts: yes — but only partially. GRAP 4 curbs reduce immediate emissions (from trucks, construction, etc.), but weather plays a huge role in whether pollution levels improve quickly or not.
Moreover, long-term improvement needs sustained policy action, such as:
- Tighter vehicle emission standards
- Alternatives to crop burning
- Cleaner construction practices
- Public awareness and enforcement
What Residents Should Do During GRAP 4
- Limit outdoor activities, especially for children, elderly and those with respiratory illness.
- Use air purifiers and N95 masks when pollution is very high.
- Follow travel advisories and avoid roads heavily used by trucks (if possible).
- Stay updated via official CAQM / CPCB / local government advisories on which GRAP stage is active and which restrictions apply.
- Support long-term policy changes: use platforms to advocate for sustainable alternatives to stubble burning, stricter vehicle emission norms, and better public transport
GRAP 4 is the highest-level emergency action under Delhi’s pollution-control framework. When air quality becomes “severe plus,” it triggers strict restrictions on vehicles, construction, schools and more. While it helps curb pollution in the immediate term, long-term clean air will require deeper structural reforms — not just temporary fixes. As Delhi battles seasonal smog, understanding GRAP 4 is important for citizens, policymakers and business alike.
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Last Updated on: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 2:00 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Tuesday, November 18, 2025 2:00 pm | News Categories: Trending
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