Delhi’s air quality hits dangerous levels, launches GRAP stage III restrictions

On the morning of Nov 15, air quality in several areas of Delhi remained in the "severe" category, with a dense layer of smog once again blanketing the National Capital Region, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram.

Restrictions are set to take effect at 8 am on Nov 15. Additionally, the Delhi government announced that, due to the high levels of pollution, physical classes for primary schools will be suspended until further notice, though online classes will continue.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that around 6 am on Nov 14, the AQI in the Anand Vihar area was 441.

The areas in Delhi with the lowest air quality included Bawana (455), Dwarka Sector 8 (444), and Jahangirpuri (458).

The GRAP for Delhi-NCR is divided into four stages based on air quality: Stage 1 for "poor" (AQI ranging between 201 and 300), Stage 2 for "very poor" (AQI of 301-400), Stage 3 for "severe" (AQI of 401-450), and Stage 4 for "severe plus" (AQI above 450).

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented stringent measures to reduce pollution levels and enforced GRAP Stage III in the capital after the air quality remained in the "severe" category for the third consecutive day.

In addition to a strict ban on construction and demolition activities, Stage III of the GRAP will also prevent interstate buses from entering Delhi, suspend mining-related activities, mandate daily sprinkling of water on major roads, and allow students up to class 5 to attend online classes.

The Delhi government and NCR states will enforce a ban on BS-III gasoline and BS-IV diesel (four-wheelers) in Delhi and its surrounding areas, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar, as per an order from the Commission for Air Quality Management.

Violations will result in a ₹20,000 fine.

The NCR will allow BS-VI diesel buses, CNG vehicles, and electric vehicles. Construction-related activities that produce less dust and are generally less polluting will be allowed, provided that the C&D Waste Management Rules are strictly followed.

“Pollution control is essential, but a blanket ban on construction affects livelihoods and delays projects that already comply with strict pollution-control standards, as required by RERA. The real estate sector, which employs many unskilled laborers, suffers financially, with each halt impacting project timelines, budgets, and developers’ obligations to financial institutions,” said Manoj Gaur, president of CREDAI-NCR.

The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) announced that 20 additional trips, in addition to the 40 already operating under GRAP-II, will be added to weekday service starting on Nov 15, in light of the introduction of GRAP-III.

The ongoing pollution levels also sparked a political blame game on Nov 14. The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized Gopal Rai, Delhi’s environment minister, and called for his resignation, claiming that the city’s air quality was nearing dangerous levels.

In response, Rai accused BJP-led state governments of failing to take action to reduce air pollution.

Since Oct 30, Delhi’s air quality has been classified as "very poor," with the capital experiencing its first "severe" air quality of the season on Nov 13.

The government's Decision Support System for Air Quality Management indicates that vehicle emissions contribute around 12.2% of the overall pollution in Delhi.

Along with vehicle emissions, stubble burning remains a significant contributor to Delhi's air pollution.

Satellite data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) shows that on Nov 14, there were five farm fires in Punjab, 11 in Haryana, and the highest number, 202, in Uttar Pradesh.

To address air quality concerns, G Hari Babu, national president of NAREDCO, emphasized that under GRAP-III, mining, construction, and demolition operations will be subject to strict restrictions across Delhi-NCR.

However, certain construction activities that generate minimal dust and pollution may proceed if they strictly adhere to the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules.

“For the unskilled laborers who rely on daily wages from these projects, any delay means an immediate loss of income, raising both economic and social concerns alongside the environmental ones,” said Babu.

“The construction industry, which is a key driver of economic growth and employment, plays a vital role in supporting the region’s workforce. Any disruption in its operations can have cascading effects, impacting not only timelines and profitability but also the livelihoods of many,” he added.