Delhi pollution: GRAP-IV imposed in national capital, neighbouring areas as AQI crosses 450

With air quality deteriorating sharply across the Delhi-NCR, authorities on Saturday invoked the strictest curbs under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing emergency restrictions across the region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said its GRAP sub-committee decided to enforce all measures under Stage IV, classified as ‘Severe+’, after pollution levels breached critical thresholds. In an official statement, the panel said, “Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to invoke all actions envisaged under Stage IV of the extant GRAP—‘Severe+’ air quality (Delhi AQI above 450)—with immediate effect across the entire NCR.”

The commission added that these emergency measures would come into force in addition to the restrictions already being implemented under Stages I, II and III of the GRAP.


Read more: Delhi-NCR pollution: GRAP-IV imposed as AQI crosses 450; check what's allowed and what's restricted

The strictest norms comes hours after GRAP-III was invoked in the national capital due to the rising air pollution on Saturday.

CAQM highlighted an increasing trend in Delhi's AQI and noted that, in its earlier meeting on December 12, the Sub-Committee on GRAP reviewed the region's deteriorating air quality and decided to keep a close watch on the situation.

The change in the wind direction/pattern since yesterday and winds blowing easterly has further worsened the situation for the PM 2.5 concentrations, which is the predominant pollutant during the winter season and is on increasing trend. Almost all the AQI stations in Delhi are showing PM 2.5 as the predominant pollutant and the AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 387

at 6:00 AM, 393 at 8:00 AM and recorded as 401 at 10:00 AM today already crossing the "Severe" category mark, the order highlighted.

Stage 3 of GRAP includes a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi and the NCR.

Delhi's air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 393 around 8 am, placing it in the 'Very Poor' category, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The situation continues with the poor air quality observed on Friday. Several parts of the national capital remained enveloped in a dense layer of toxic smog, severely affecting visibility and causing discomfort to residents.