Why In The News?

The Supreme Court allowed CAQM full freedom to take proactive anti-pollution measures in Delhi-NCR, including applying GRAP-IV options like work-from-home and 50% office attendance during the ongoing GRAP-III stage.

About the Judgement:

• Supreme Court’s Direction: SC empowered CAQM to take proactive pollution-control measures in Delhi-NCR.
• Bench Observation: CJI Gavai urged stakeholder consultation.
• Key Proposals: Early use of GRAP-IV measures, vehicle exemptions, staggered timings, and congestion control.
• Additional Proposals: CAQM proposed advancing GRAP measures, enforcing congestion control, notifying vehicle aggregator policies, reviewing school sports during pollution months, and adopting long-term steps like EV policy review and higher charges on luxury diesel SUVs

2) What is CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management)?

• About: A statutory body managing air quality in Delhi-NCR and adjoining areas, created under the CAQM Act, 2021, replacing the earlier EPCA (1998) and initially introduced via a 2020 ordinance.
• Structure: Chairperson is a senior government official (Secretary/Chief Secretary); includes 5 ex-officio members from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh; 3 full-time technical members; 3 NGO members; supported technically by CPCB, ISRO, and NITI Aayog.
• Functions: Responsible for monitoring, coordinating, and implementing air quality policies, researching pollution sources, proposing mitigation strategies, and raising public awareness.
• Powers: Holds jurisdiction over Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan; can issue binding directions, restrict polluting activities, enforce environmental rules, act against non-compliance, and initiate complaints under the CAQM Act, 2021.

3) What is GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan)?

• About: A pre-emptive and emergency framework to control Delhi-NCR air pollution; created under Supreme Court directions in C. Mehta vs Union of India (2016); notified in 2017 and implemented by CAQM, MoEFCC, and State authorities; operates through four graded stages linked to AQI levels.
• Stages of GRAP:
  Stage I – Poor (AQI 201–300): Road dust control and enforcement of PUC norms.
  Stage II – Very Poor (AQI 301–400): Limits on diesel generators and actions in pollution hotspots.
  Stage III – Severe (AQI 401–450): Vehicle restrictions, construction curbs, and remote schooling
  Stage IV – Severe+ (AQI > 450): Ban on heavy vehicles, school closures, and shutdown of non-essential industries.
• Purpose: To ensure a graded, coordinated, time-bound response that prevents air quality from escalating to hazardous levels.

4)Air Quality Monitoring Measures:

1) AQI (Air Quality Index)

• Launched in 2014 with the concept “One Number – One Color – One Description” for easy public understanding.
• Developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Based on 8 pollutants: PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, Pb.
• Contains six air quality categories ranging from Good to Severe.

2) SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research)

• Provides location-specific, real-time air quality information for major Indian metropolitan cities.
• Introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, developed by IITM Pune.
• Measures pollutants: PM2.5, PM10, O3, CO, NOx, SO2, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, Mercury.
• Uses Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Systems (CAAQMS); an example includes the one commissioned by the Indian Army in Kolkata.

3) NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards)

• Set by CPCB in 2009 under the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• Covers 12 pollutants, including SO2, NO2, PM10, PM2.5, O3, Pb, CO, NH3, Benzene, Benzopyrene, As, Ni.
• Specifies annual and 24-hour standards for industrial, residential, rural, and ecologically sensitive areas.

4) NAMP (National Air Quality Monitoring Programme)

• Executed by CPCB to monitor ambient air quality across India.
• Network includes 800+ stations in 344 cities/towns, covering 28 states and 6 UTs.
• Objectives: track air quality trends, assess compliance with NAAQS, identify non-attainment cities.
• Monitors SO2, NO2, PM10, and PM2.5 along with meteorological factors like wind speed, humidity, and temperature.

5) WHO Ambient Air Quality Database

• A global database compiling annual mean concentrations of PM2.5, PM10, and NO2.
• First released in 2011; updated periodically—2023 is the sixth update.
• Linked to WHO’s 2021 Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs), which tightened acceptable pollution limits.

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