The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect as the national capital's air quality deteriorated and approached the severe category ahead of Diwali.
The decision was taken by the CAQM's Sub-Committee on GRAP as a precautionary measure, with Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 382 at 4 pm, placing it in the 'very poor' category.
The commission announced the decision through its official social media account, stating that Stage III restrictions had been invoked across the National Capital Region to prevent further deterioration in air quality.
The restrictions come in addition to measures already enforced under GRAP-I and GRAP-II, which were introduced earlier as pollution levels increased across Delhi and neighbouring areas.
Under the revised GRAP framework, authorities can impose stricter measures based on air quality forecasts without waiting for pollution levels to cross the prescribed threshold.
๐ฆ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐๐ฟ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป
Stage III of GRAP is generally associated with the 'severe' air quality category, when AQI levels range between 401 and 450.
The measures include restrictions on non-essential construction and demolition activities that generate significant dust pollution.
Activities such as excavation, earthwork, demolition and other dust-intensive operations face restrictions, subject to exemptions and conditions specified under the revised GRAP schedule.
Authorities are also required to intensify road cleaning, dust suppression and other measures intended to reduce particulate pollution.
Construction agencies and local authorities must ensure compliance with dust-control requirements, while enforcement teams are expected to monitor violations.
The restrictions are aimed at limiting additional pollution from construction activities during a period when unfavourable weather conditions can contribute to the accumulation of pollutants.
๐ข๐น๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฒ๐ต๐ถ๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐
The Stage III measures also include restrictions on the movement of certain categories of older vehicles.
Under the revised framework, restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers apply in Delhi and specified NCR districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Budh Nagar and Sonipat.
The revised rules also impose restrictions on the entry of certain diesel-operated light and medium goods vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet the prescribed emission standards.
The CAQM had earlier strengthened vehicle-related provisions under GRAP, including restrictions on older interstate buses and commercial vehicles.
The changes are intended to reduce vehicular emissions, which remain a significant contributor to air pollution in the region.
Enforcement agencies are expected to conduct checks and take action against vehicles violating the applicable restrictions.
๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐ผ๐ผ๐น๐, ๐ผ๐ณ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฑ
The Stage III framework also provides for measures concerning schools and workplaces to reduce exposure to polluted air.
State governments may implement hybrid learning arrangements for younger students in accordance with the applicable GRAP provisions.
Authorities can also consider measures to reduce traffic congestion and commuter exposure, including adjustments to office operations where permitted.
The implementation of such arrangements depends on directions issued by the respective state governments and education authorities.
The restrictions are particularly significant for children, elderly residents and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, who face greater health risks during periods of elevated particulate pollution.
๐๐ถ๐ฟ ๐พ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐น๐
Delhi's AQI of 382 placed the capital close to the severe category, raising concerns over further deterioration in the coming days.
Under the national AQI classification, readings between 301 and 400 are categorised as 'very poor', while levels between 401 and 500 are classified as 'severe'.
The worsening air quality comes ahead of Diwali, when firecracker emissions can add to existing pollution from vehicles, road dust, construction activities and other sources.
Weather conditions during the winter months, including reduced wind speeds and atmospheric conditions that restrict the dispersal of pollutants, can further aggravate the situation.
GRAP-II restrictions had already been imposed earlier this month, while Stage I measures were introduced in October after Delhi's air quality deteriorated.
The latest decision reflects the authorities' decision to implement preventive restrictions rather than wait for the AQI to formally enter the severe category.
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฃ ๐ฟ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ
In September, the CAQM approved revisions to the GRAP schedule, strengthening measures related to vehicular emissions, construction dust and other pollution sources.
The revised framework includes 25 actions under Stage I, eight under Stage II, 10 under Stage III and five under Stage IV.
It also allows restrictions to be introduced in advance when forecasts indicate that pollution levels are likely to worsen and remain elevated.
The CAQM's Sub-Committee on GRAP will continue reviewing air quality conditions and forecasts to determine whether restrictions need to be strengthened, continued or withdrawn.
For now, the Stage III measures will remain applicable across Delhi-NCR alongside the restrictions already in force under the earlier stages.