Stricter GRAP-III pollution curbs imposed as Delhi chokes amid ‘severe’ air quality

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The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) made the decision to elevate the response to GRAP Stage 3 due to Delhis AQI consistently surpassing 400, accompanied by heavy smog that has reduced visibility to nearly zero.

With Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) staying at ‘severe’ level for two days in a row, the Delhi government has decided to implement more stringent pollution control measures under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These new actions will be effective from 8:00 AM on Friday (November 15).

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) made the decision to elevate the response to GRAP Stage 3 due to Delhi’s AQI consistently surpassing 400, accompanied by heavy smog that has reduced visibility to nearly zero.

What is GRAP?

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of measures aimed at managing air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR). Stage 3 of GRAP comes into effect when the AQI reaches ‘severe’ levels.

Restrictions under GRAP Stage 3

Under Stage 3, construction and demolition activities will be suspended, along with all non-essential mining. Interstate buses that are not electric, CNG, or compliant with BS-VI standards will be restricted entry. There will also be increased water sprinkling on major roads to control dust.

Delhi CM Atishi posted on X, “Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions.”

Use of diesel generators will be limited to emergencies. To discourage private vehicle use, parking fees will be raised, among other measures.

GRAP is enforced in four stages:

Stage II of GRAP was already in place in Delhi since October, following AQI levels exceeding 300.

Earlier on Thursday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had said GRAP-3 would not be implemented.

“For the last two days, for the first time this season, AQI has gone above 400 in Delhi. Many people have questions in their minds about why the AQI, which was in the ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ category since October 14, suddenly went into the ‘severe’ category,” he said.

“Meteorologists have reported that due to snowfall in the mountains, a drop in the temperature of Delhi has been recorded. Due to this, dry conditions have been created in the morning and evening in the entirety of north India,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)