Here's why GRAP plan for reducing air pollution may not work in Delhi-NCR

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

air pollution in Delhi-NCR has been hindered by the lack of consistent action and enforcement of existing rules, according to experts. As per a TOI report by Vishwa Mohan, despite the presence of policies and regulations across all sectors, their implementation and enforcement have been found to be lacking, leaving residents of the capital city and neighboring areas struggling with poor air quality.

Experts have stressed the need for real action to address vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, waste burning, and construction/demolition dust, rather than solely focusing on episodic events like stubble burning, which contributes less to pollution than other sources.

Anumita Roychowdhury from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) told TOI that while measures to improve fuel and technology in transportation and industry, as well as control dust, have helped to stabilize pollution levels, more action is required to bridge the policy gaps for achieving clean air targets in Delhi. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), although effective in emergency situations, needs stricter enforcement, monitoring, and penalties across the city, particularly in controlling dust, construction, truck movement, and open burning.

Sunil Dahiya from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) identified several key areas where Delhi-NCR fell short, including the lack of progress in strengthening public transportation and non-motorised transport infrastructure, insufficient enforcement of emission regulations for industries and coal-based power plants, and the absence of an emission load reduction-based approach for major polluting sectors and regions.