New Delhi: The Centre on Tuesday imposed stricter anti-pollution measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after the national capital’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said the decision followed a sharp spike in Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI), which rose from 362 on Monday to 425 on Tuesday morning, driven by calm winds and stagnant weather conditions that trapped pollutants near the surface.
What can you expect?
Stage III curbs include a ban on non-essential construction and demolition work, as well as the closure of stone crushers and mining activities. These measures add to restrictions already in force under Stages I and II.
Under the new curbs, schools up to Class 5 have been asked to shift to hybrid mode, allowing parents to opt for online classes. The government has also restricted the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and neighbouring NCR districts, with exemptions for persons with disabilities.
GRAP classifies air quality into four escalating categories — Stage I (Poor, AQI 201–300), Stage II (Very Poor, 301–400), Stage III (Severe, 401–450) and Stage IV (Severe Plus, above 450).
Delhi’s air quality typically worsens during winter due to vehicle emissions, stubble burning, firecrackers and stagnant weather, causing recurrent smog episodes across the region.
