Delhi-NCR enters GRAP Stage II as air quality reaches Very Poor category
The Commission for Air Quality Management has implemented new restrictions on diesel generators, fuel use, and certain vehicles to combat pollution.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the air quality index reached 324 on November 2, according to a report by Mint.
Under these measures, the use of diesel generator sets for commercial or regular purposes is restricted, though exemptions exist for essential services like hospitals and lifts. The burning of firewood or coal is prohibited, and restaurants or hotels are barred from using these fuels in tandoors.
Construction, demolition, and specific industrial sites that were ordered to close must remain shut. Additionally, vehicles lacking a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate may face penalties or be denied fuel at petrol pumps.
Regarding vehicle entry, petrol and diesel cars registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS-VI emission standards are barred from the capital until January 31, 2027. This rule is separate from the GRAP Stage II measures.
Buses entering Delhi under tourist or contract carriage permits must use CNG, electricity, or BS-VI diesel, while Delhi-registered buses are exempt. Trucks transiting through the city are required to use peripheral expressways.
The CAQM has advised commuters to use public transport to reduce private vehicle use. State governments in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar have also been advised to implement staggered office timings.