Delhi’s worsening air quality triggers Stage-I GRAP across NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday invoked Stage-I measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR), with immediate effect, following a sharp deterioration in Delhi’s air quality.

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) rose from 179 (moderate) on 20 October to 244 (poor) at 2pm on 21 October, according to the CAQM.

The sub-committee on GRAP took the decision after reviewing the prevailing air quality situation and weather forecasts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). The forecasts indicate that Delhi’s AQI is likely to remain ‘poor’ over the coming days.

The panel directed all concerned agencies across the NCR to implement, monitor and review Stage-I measures strictly to prevent any further deterioration in air quality. Agencies have also been instructed to maintain close vigilance and intensify the implementation of prescribed pollution-control measures.

Pollution mitigation

The GRAP is implemented in four stages based on the severity of air pollution. Stage-I comes into effect when the AQI is between 201 and 300, falling under the ‘poor’ category.

The revised schedule, approved on 29 September 2026, contains 25 actions under Stage-I, which applies when the Air Quality Index (AQI) falls in the “poor” category of 201–300.

The key actions under GRAP-I include mechanized road sweeping, water sprinkling to control road dust, regular collection and disposal of municipal solid waste, and strict monitoring of construction and demolition activities. Open burning of waste will be prohibited, while construction sites must follow prescribed dust-control guidelines.

The revised plan also shifts certain measures concerning diesel generator sets and the entry of overaged diesel and petrol vehicles from Stage-II to Stage-I. These steps aim to address pollution at an early stage and prevent further deterioration in air quality.

Also, under the proposed measure, buses operating from cities and towns in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, as well as adjoining states such as Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir, will not be permitted to ply in the NCR unless they are electric, run on compressed natural gas (CNG), or comply with BS-VI diesel emission standards.

The measure aims to reduce vehicular emissions, a significant contributor to air pollution in the NCR. Its effective implementation will require coordination among the concerned state governments and Delhi authorities.

In a parallel step to control pollution from commercial establishments under STAGE-I, authorities have been directed to strictly enforce the existing ban on the use of coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open eateries. These establishments will be required to use electricity, gas, or other approved clean-fuel-based appliances instead of coal- or firewood-fired tandoors. The measure is intended to reduce smoke and particulate emissions generated by cooking activities, particularly in densely populated urban areas.