The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) edged close to the ‘Severe Plus’ threshold of 450, signalling a sharp deterioration in air quality across the National Capital Region (NCR).
According to a CAQM order, Delhi’s AQI stood at 431 at 4 pm but showed a rising trend, touching 446 by 6 pm, driven by slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather conditions and limited dispersion of pollutants.
“Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of extant GRAP already in force in NCR,” the order stated.
The commission also directed pollution control boards and committees across the NCR, along with other concerned agencies, to intensify preventive and corrective measures to curb further deterioration in air quality.
As of 7 pm, AQI levels remained alarmingly high across several monitoring stations, with Anand Vihar recording 488, Bawana 496, Chandni Chowk 479, Burari 457, Okhla Phase-2 445, Ashok Vihar 434, and IGI Airport 394.
Earlier in the day, CAQM had invoked Stage III of GRAP, which includes a ban on construction and demolition activities across Delhi and the NCR. However, worsening conditions prompted the escalation to Stage IV by evening.
The move comes amid persistently poor air quality conditions, with large parts of the national capital remaining shrouded in dense toxic smog on Friday, severely impacting visibility and causing discomfort to residents.
These measures will be implemented in addition to the actions already in force under Stage-I, Stage-II and Stage-III of GRAP across the NCR, officials said.
As part of Stage-IV, an eight-point action plan has been rolled out with immediate effect. These include a ban on the entry of trucks into Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services. However, LNG, CNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks will be allowed to enter the city.
The plan also prohibits the entry of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi, other than EVs, CNG and BS-VI diesel vehicles, unless they are carrying essential goods or services. Additionally, the movement of Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles has been banned, with exemptions only for essential services.
All construction and demolition (C&D) activities will remain suspended, including linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecom works.
On the education front, NCR state governments and the Delhi government may decide to discontinue physical classes for students of Classes VI to IX and Class XI, shifting to online mode if required.
Governments have also been given the option to allow public, municipal and private offices to operate at 50% strength, with the remaining staff working from home. The Centre may take a similar decision for central government offices.
States have been advised to consider additional emergency measures, including the closure of colleges and educational institutions, suspension of non-essential commercial activities and the implementation of odd-even traffic norms, depending on the evolving air quality situation.
Authorities said the measures aim to prevent further deterioration of air quality and protect public health as pollution levels remain dangerously high across the NCR.
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