Graded plan needs to be re-evaluated, suggest experts

NEWDELHI: Experts have urged the Environment Pollution (Protection and Control) Authority (EPCA) to re-evaluate the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which considers six categories of pollution and suggests measures for tackling each category.

This re-evaluation of GRAP would ascertain whether the authorities are targeting the right sources of pollution and whether the response plan is effective.

“Every time air quality becomes severe and GRAP is implemented, we target some sources of pollution. This could be construction, vehicles, power plants or industries. But are we sure that we are targeting the right source at the right time?” asked Rakesh Kumar, director, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).

NEERI along with IIT Madras had sent a proposal to EPCA to re-evaluate the GRAP around six months ago. Bhure Lal, chairman of EPCA said he had welcomed the suggestions

“GRAP is a short-term emergency response. Its impact will remain limited if the Comprehensive Action Plan (CAP), which includes short, medium and long term measures, is not implemented. There are a lot actions that cannot be implemented, such as improving public transport, increasing parking charges and actions related to industry. The early warning system is important and is already part of the mandate of the environment ministry and CPCB,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), Centre for Science and Environment.

Experts also say that GRAP should be used more as an early hazard warning system instead of a response plan that comes into play after 48 hours.

At present, the EPCA issues orders to implement pollution control measures only after 48 hours.

Dust pollution started shooting up from June 12 . But emergency measures were only implemented on June 15, when air quality started improving.