Delhi-NCR’s air quality worsened sharply after the average AQI crossed 425, pushing pollution into the ‘Severe’ category. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) directed the Delhi Government to enforce Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the NCR. The move aims to prevent conditions from worsening further and entering the ‘Severe Plus’ category.
What is GRAP-III, and why now?
GRAP is an emergency action plan activated based on AQI levels. Stage III comes into force when AQI ranges between 401 and 450. Calm winds, vehicular emissions, and increasing construction dust triggered this step to control further deterioration.
Air Pollution Hits Vehicles and Construction
Non-essential construction and demolition activities such as piling, trenching, earthwork, painting, plastering, and RMC plants are banned. Transport of construction materials on unpaved roads, stone crushers, mining, brick kilns, and industries using unapproved fuels are prohibited.
On roads, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, non-essential diesel goods vehicles, and inter-state diesel buses not meeting CNG, electric, or BS-VI norms are restricted.
What’s Allowed?
Schools remain open across NCR cities such as Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad, operating under advisories. Public transport, BS-VI, CNG, and electric vehicles are permitted. Citizens are urged to use public transport, avoid waste burning, keep valid PUC certificates, and follow health precautions.
