New Delhi, November 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the entire National Capital Region as pollution levels continued to rise.
The decision came two days ahead of Diwali, with Delhi recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 382 on Friday, placing it in the ‘Very Poor’ category. Although GRAP-III is typically imposed when air quality reaches the ‘Severe’ category, with an AQI of 400 or above, the CAQM invoked the restrictions as a precautionary measure.
In a post on X, the CAQM said: “CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke GRAP III in Delhi NCR as a precautionary measure.”
Under GRAP-III, non-essential construction and demolition activities, including earthwork, piling and trenching, will be prohibited. The restrictions also cover the operation of Ready-Mix Concrete plants in the open. Movement of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers will be prohibited in Delhi and neighbouring NCR districts.
The measures also include restrictions on the transportation of construction materials such as sand and cement, closure of stone crushers, mining and hot-mix plants not operating on clean fuel, and a ban on diesel generator sets, except for emergency and essential services. Inter-state diesel buses entering or operating in Delhi will also face restrictions.
The plan further advises private companies to adopt work-from-home or hybrid arrangements to reduce vehicular emissions. Schools up to Class 5 will be required to shift to online classes to protect young children from air pollution.
Earlier, the CAQM had invoked GRAP-II after Delhi-NCR’s daily average AQI rose to 324. According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily AQI bulletin, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 324 on November 2. The CAQM sub-committee reviewed the air quality situation and forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology before taking that decision.
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