Digital News Guru Environment Desk:
When the Smog Returns: Delhi-NCR Moves to Stage-I GRAP as AQI Hits 211
On 14 October 2025, Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) faced yet another air quality crisis: the measured Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 211, placing it firmly in the “Poor” category. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect across Delhi and the NCR.
This move marks a preemptive attempt to curb pollution before conditions slide further into more hazardous tiers. As residents brace for smog and restrictions, the decision underscores the systemic challenges of managing air quality in the capital region.
Understanding GRAP and the Trigger for Stage I
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a stratified framework devised to regulate pollution levels in Delhi-NCR via incremental measures as the air quality worsens. It has multiple stages — from Stage I (when AQI enters “Poor”) through higher levels covering “Very Poor,” “Severe,” and “Severe Plus” conditions.
Stage-I is triggered when AQI ranges between 201 and 300 (i.e., “Poor”). On Tuesday, the CAQM’s Sub-Committee assessed both observed data and forecasts (from IMD / IITM) that predicted AQI would likely remain in the “Poor” zone in coming days. Based on that, the committee decided to invoke Stage-I measures immediately across NCR. Crucially, the activation of Stage-I is not about reacting to a catastrophic event; it is intended as a preventive intervention, aiming to arrest further deterioration of air quality.
What Stage-I Imposes: Restrictions & Actions
The essence of Stage-I lies in targeting key pollution sources — dust, vehicles, emissions, waste burning — with a mix of restrictions and intensified enforcement. Below are the major measures now in effect across Delhi and the NCR:
- Dust Control & Construction Activity
- All ongoing construction, demolition, maintenance or repair works must intensify dust suppression (water sprinkling, anti-smog guns).
- Mechanised road sweeping and frequent watering of roads will be continued, and collected dust must be disposed scientifically in designated sites.
- Strict vigil at landfill/dump sites to ensure that no open burning of waste occurs.
- Ban on Open Burning & Fuel Restrictions
- Open burning of biomass, agricultural residue, municipal solid waste, and garbage is prohibited. This aims to eliminate episodic spikes in particulate matter.
- Use of coal or firewood in roadside stalls, commercial kitchens, hotels, open eateries is disallowed. Instead, those establishments must switch to clean fuel (electricity or gas).
- Diesel generator (DG) sets are no longer permissible for regular power supply; they can only be used in essential or emergency scenarios.
- Vehicle Emissions & Traffic Measures
- Enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms will be stricter; visibly polluting vehicles may be penalised or impounded.
- Over-aged vehicles (diesel >10 years, petrol >15 years) must comply with existing court/NGT orders.
- Non-destined trucks are to be diverted via Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways to avoid traversing central Delhi, following Supreme Court directives.
- Offices are encouraged to adopt unified commute systems (e.g. sharing transport) to reduce traffic volume.
Why Now? Drivers of the Pollution Spike
Delhi’s annual struggle with air pollution is well-known, especially in the post-monsoon months leading into winter. This year is no exception. The AQI’s slide past 200 reflects a mix of structural and seasonal factors:
- Meteorological shifts: With the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon and weakening winds, the atmospheric dispersion capacity reduces, allowing pollutants to accumulate.
- Vehicular & industrial emissions still remain pervasive, especially in dense zones.
- Dust and road abrasion: Poor road conditions, construction activity, and unpaved stretches aggravate particulate loading (PM₂.₅ / PM₁₀). Indeed, in Ghaziabad, authorities are scrambling to repair broken roads before construction restrictions fully kick in under GRAP.
- Open burning in peripheral areas: Crop residue burning in neighbouring states still adds to regional pollution burden, though its direct share on Delhi’s readings is debated each season.
- Festive season & firecrackers loom on the horizon, raising concerns that pollution may worsen unless checked.
The CAQM’s early activation of Stage-I suggests authorities want to get ahead before air quality enters more dangerous categories.
What It Means for Residents: Risks & Responsibilities
For citizens, the Stage-I imposition brings both inconvenience and safeguards. Awareness and cooperation at the grassroots level will influence whether this intervention succeeds.
Health Risks
With AQI at 211, particulate matter concentration is high enough to affect sensitive groups — children, elderly, and those with asthma, COPD, or heart disease should be cautious. Prolonged outdoor exposure, heavy exertion, or strenuous exercise outdoors are risky.
Adjusted Behavior
- Prefer public transport, carpooling, or non-motorised transit (cycling, walking where possible).
- Curtail use of private vehicles, especially older ones.
- Ensure vehicles are well-tuned, tyres properly inflated, and PUC certificates valid.
- Avoid burning waste (leaves, paper, wood) even in household premises.
- Stay updated with AQI forecasts, and limit outdoor activity during peak pollution hours.
- Use masks (N95 / equivalent) when going outdoors in severely polluted zones.
Looking Ahead: Will Stage-I Be Enough?
Stage-I is the lightest tier in the GRAP sequence. If AQI continues to worsen, escalations to Stage-II or higher may follow, invoking more stringent curbs (lockdowns for polluting activities, vehicular bans, factory shutdowns, etc.). The CAQM has made it clear that it will monitor air quality daily, revisit forecasts, and adjust measures accordingly.
That said, critics argue that while GRAP operates as a reactive tool, Delhi’s pollution woes require structural reforms: cleaner energy, overhaul of public transport, stricter industrial emission norms, better regional coordination (across states), and enforcement continuity even during “good” AQI days.
For now, the Stage-I activation is a signal: Delhi is once again in its annual pollution stretch. Whether this intervention can moderate the slide or only delay the inevitable depends largely on public cooperation, policy consistency, and enforcement rigor.
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