Pimpri Chinchwad Leads Maharashtra's War on Pollution with GRAP Rollout

Maharashtra’s First Anti-Pollution Action Plan Unveiled The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), making it the first city in Maharashtra and among the few in India to adopt such a strategy. This comprehensive anti-pollution initiative combines real-time air quality monitoring, advanced forecasting, and strict enforcement measures to tackle pollution systematically. 

Current Focus: Controlling Dust and Waste

PCMC officials have initiated GRAP Phase I, responding to the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which ranges from 101 to 300 (moderate to poor). Key measures include managing road dust, restricting illegal waste dumping, and improving traffic flow. The plan, in collaboration with CDAC, may escalate to banning vehicular movement or halting construction activities if required.

Escalated Measures for Worsening AQI

According to officials, stricter actions will be triggered as AQI worsens. For AQI between 301 and 400 (very poor), diesel generator use will be restricted, road cleaning will be intensified, and public transport will be promoted. If AQI reaches 401 to 500 (severe), highly polluting industries will face shutdowns, and non-motorized zones will be established. Fines for violations will also be increased.

Advanced Forecasting and Real-Time Enforcement

Advanced air quality forecasting under GRAP Phases II, III, and IV is designed to activate preventive measures three days in advance. These include automatic number-plate recognition cameras and personnel tracking emission compliance, integrated with databases from the RTO and traffic police. The measures will remain in effect for a minimum of 15 days or until significant improvement is observed.

Dedicated Round-the-Clock Enforcement

Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh described GRAP as a short-term yet impactful solution. PCMC has deployed a dedicated enforcement agency to monitor compliance round-the-clock, ensuring the city's ambitious pollution-control goals are met effectively.

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