What’s Allowed and What’s Not as GRAP-III Imposed in Delhi After AQI Soars to 429

New Delhi, November 11:
Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Tuesday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 429, plunging the national capital’s air into the ‘severe’ category. With pollution levels continuing to spike, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ordered the implementation of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR.

The decision comes after several monitoring stations recorded alarming AQI levels — 464 at Mundka, 458 at RK Puram, 456 at Nehru Nagar, 454 at Siri Fort, and 452 at ITO, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app.

What GRAP-III Means

Under GRAP-III, several pollution-intensive activities are restricted to prevent further deterioration of air quality. The measures are activated when the AQI remains above 400 for more than two consecutive days.

What’s Not Allowed (Restrictions Under GRAP-III)

• Ban on construction and demolition activities, except for essential projects such as national security, railways, metro, and healthcare facilities.
• Closure of brick kilns, stone crushers, and hot mix plants that are not using approved fuels.
• Stop operations of diesel generator (DG) sets, except for emergency and essential services.
• Ban on unregistered BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi.
• Prohibition on mining and related activities in NCR districts.
• No open burning of waste materials, including garbage and dry leaves.
• Ban on industrial operations that do not use PNG or cleaner fuels.

What’s Allowed (Essential Services Exempted)

• Construction related to public projects of national importance, such as metro, airport, hospitals, and highways.
• Emergency services such as ambulances, fire brigades, police, and government vehicles.
• Inter-state goods transport carrying essential commodities such as food, fuel, and medicines.
• Use of CNG, electric, or BS-VI vehicles for commercial and private transport.

Air Quality at Dangerous Levels

As per CPCB data, 38 of the 39 monitoring stations across Delhi-NCR reported ‘severe’ air quality, marking the season’s first major pollution emergency. The AQI jumped from 362 on Monday to 429 on Tuesday, indicating a sharp overnight rise due to stagnant winds and post-Diwali emissions.

Health experts have advised residents to avoid outdoor activities, use N95 masks, and keep air purifiers on indoors. Elderly people, children, and those with respiratory conditions have been urged to stay indoors.

Government Response

The Delhi government has urged citizens to cooperate by avoiding unnecessary vehicle use, carpooling, and working from home wherever possible.
Officials from the Environment Department said enforcement teams have been deployed to monitor violations, especially illegal construction and garbage burning.

Meanwhile, authorities are reviewing the possibility of invoking GRAP-IV, the highest stage, if pollution levels continue to worsen.

Public Advisory

Residents are advised to:

• Avoid morning walks or outdoor workouts.
• Use masks when stepping out.
• Keep windows closed and air purifiers running.
• Prefer public transport or electric vehicles.