Delhi-NCR moves to GRAP III as air quality worsens
The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan as the Air Quality Index remained above 400.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Friday, November 6. According to reports from Outlook and India Today, the decision by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP serves as a precautionary measure as air pollution levels deteriorate ahead of Diwali.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has stayed above 400 for two consecutive days. An analysis by Hindustan Times showed that at 10am on Friday, the typical station recorded 335 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic metre of air, which is more than five times the national daily average limit of 60.
Under the Stage III framework, several restrictions apply across the National Capital Region (NCR). These include bans on various dust-generating construction and demolition activities, such as excavation, brickwork, and road construction, though essential infrastructure projects like metro and railway works are permitted. The plan also directs the closure of mining and stone crushers.
Vehicle restrictions are also in place for BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and several districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Additionally, state and Delhi governments may implement hybrid learning for students up to Class V and allow offices to operate with 50 per cent staff strength through work-from-home arrangements.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Sirsa requested public cooperation, noting that wind speeds are expected to drop to near-zero. The CAQM has also encouraged residents to use public transport and reduce unnecessary travel to help clean the air.