Delhi AQI nears 400: Will GRAP Stage III be imposed? What will be allowed, what’s not as Rs 3-crore cloud seeding fails

Delhi woke up to another hazy Thursday morning as air pollution levels remained alarmingly high. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 352 at 8 am, categorised as ‘very poor’. Some areas even slipped into the ‘severe’ category, signalling worsening air quality conditions across the city.

What’s Delhi’s AQI Today?

As of 8 am, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 408 and Vivek Vihar at 415, both falling under the ‘severe’ category. Several other locations reported ‘very poor’ air quality levels:

• Ashok Vihar: 388
• Aya Nagar: 331
• Bawana: 387
• Burari Crossing: 369
• Dwarka Sector-8: 371
• IGI Airport (T3): 320
• ITO: 370
• Lodhi Road: 334
• Mundka: 364
• Najafgarh: 338
• Narela: 371
• Punjabi Bagh: 368
• Patparganj: 386
• RK Puram: 374
• Sirifort: 381

The haze-filled skyline and a thick layer of smog over Delhi NCR marked yet another grim morning, just days after Diwali celebrations.

Cloud Seeding: Delhi’s New ‘Science-First’ Move Against Pollution

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Delhi government has conducted two consecutive cloud seeding operations to help combat toxic air levels. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the move a “science-first step” towards controlling air pollution.

“Our focus is to assess how much rainfall can be triggered under Delhi’s real-life humidity conditions. With every trial, science guides our actions, for the winter and all year round,” Sirsa said.

The artificial rainmaking experiment is part of the city’s air quality management strategy to help settle dust particles and pollutants suspended in the air.

Vehicle Restrictions: Non-BS-VI Trucks Banned from 1 November

In a strong pollution-control measure, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has banned the entry of non-BS-VI commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi starting 1 November 2025.

However, as per the recent notification, such vehicles will be allowed to enter the capital only till 31 October 2026, providing a transition period for operators to upgrade their fleets.

This move aims to reduce emissions from heavy vehicles, which contribute significantly to particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels in Delhi NCR.

NDMC Doubles Parking Fees to Discourage Private Vehicles

With Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) currently in effect, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has doubled parking fees across the city.

The decision, which applies to both off-road and indoor parking areas managed by NDMC, seeks to discourage the use of private vehicles and encourage people to switch to public transport.

Truck-mounted water sprinklers have also been deployed across several parts of Delhi to help control dust pollution.

Why Is Delhi’s Air Quality Getting Worse?

Experts say that a mix of stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, and low wind speed is trapping pollutants close to the ground. Post-Diwali firecracker residue has also intensified pollution levels.

With winter setting in, temperature inversion, where a layer of warm air traps pollutants near the surface, is making the situation even worse.

Will GRAP Stage III be enforced? Check what will be allowed, what’s not

Authorities are expected to review pollution levels in the coming days to decide whether to impose GRAP Stage III restrictions, which include halting construction activities and banning diesel generators.

Citizens have been advised to avoid outdoor exercise, wear N95 masks, and use air purifiers indoors.

Inputs from agencies