Context:
Amid worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has advanced key emergency measures under a revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Following Supreme Court hearings on November 17 and 19, restrictions such as work-from-home (WFH) and staggered office timings will now be triggered at lower Air Quality Index (AQI) thresholds to enable earlier intervention.
Key Highlights:
Immediate Implementation of Revised GRAP
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CAQM revised the GRAP framework with immediate effect.
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Objective: Proactive pollution control rather than reactive measures.
Work-from-Home for Private Offices
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Private sector offices in Delhi advised to:
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Operate with only 50% staff onsite
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Encourage WFH for remaining employees
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Earlier applicable only under GRAP Stage IV, now advanced to Stage III.
Staggered Office Timings
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Government and municipal offices directed to:
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Follow staggered working hours
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Mandate effective until February 2026
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Staggering earlier triggered at ‘Very Poor’ AQI, now applicable at ‘Poor’ AQI levels.
Lower AQI Thresholds for Action
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Measures earlier under GRAP Stage II shifted to Stage I.
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Reflects a preventive and precautionary governance approach.
Transport and Mobility Measures
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Agencies directed to:
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Introduce differential fare pricing to encourage off-peak travel
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Augment public transport with additional CNG and electric buses
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Aim: Reduce vehicular emissions, a major pollution source.
NCR-Wide Applicability
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State governments in the NCR have the option to:
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Extend staggered timings to other NCR districts
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Enhances regional coordination.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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CAQM:
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Statutory body for air quality management in Delhi-NCR.
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GRAP:
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Stage-wise emergency response mechanism linked to AQI levels.
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AQI Categories:
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Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, Severe.
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Benefits:
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Early intervention limits pollution spikes
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Reduces traffic congestion and emissions
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Protects public health
Challenges:
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Compliance by private sector
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Economic impact on productivity
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Monitoring and enforcement capacity
Impact:
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Marks a shift towards anticipatory environmental governance
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Sets precedent for urban air pollution management
Relevant Mains Points:
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Facts & Provisions:
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Revised GRAP framework
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Supreme Court oversight
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Keywords & Static Linkages:
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Precautionary principle
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Environmental governance
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Urban air pollution
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Governance Perspective:
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Use of administrative advisories in crisis management
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Way Forward:
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Institutionalise remote work policies
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Strengthen mass transit infrastructure
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Improve real-time air quality forecasting
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Promote regional airshed-based planning
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UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS 3: Environment, Air Pollution, Climate Action
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GS 2: Governance, Regulatory Institutions
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Prelims: CAQM, GRAP, AQI