New Delhi— With the national capital choking under toxic air, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 400-mark on Tuesday, prompting the government to activate Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The emergency measures came into effect immediately to curb pollution levels that have plunged into the ‘severe’ category for the first time this season.
As per data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, Delhi’s overall AQI surged from 362 on Monday to 429 by 11:30 am on Tuesday. Out of 39 active monitoring stations across Delhi-NCR, 38 recorded AQI levels above 400, indicating ‘severe’ air pollution. Mundka recorded an AQI of 464, RK Puram and Mathura Road 458, Nehru Nagar 456, Siri Fort 454, ITO 452, and Sri Aurobindo Marg 421.
Under GRAP-III, non-essential construction and demolition activities are strictly banned. This includes earth excavation, laying of sewer lines, cable work through open trenches, and the use of Ready-Mix Concrete plants. Additionally, private BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are prohibited in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida. Non-essential diesel-run BS-IV medium goods vehicles and commercial diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi are also restricted unless they carry essential goods or provide critical services.
Authorities have advised private firms to allow employees to work from home or adopt hybrid arrangements to reduce vehicular traffic. Schools may also switch to online classes if pollution levels persist, though no official closure has been announced yet.
Essential public projects such as railways, metro construction, airport operations, defence work, sanitation, and healthcare remain exempt but must strictly follow dust control and waste management norms.
For context, AQI levels between 100-200 are classified as ‘moderate’, 201-300 as ‘poor’, 301-400 as ‘very poor’, and 401-500 as ‘severe’. The ‘severe’ category can cause respiratory illness even among healthy individuals and poses serious health risks to those with existing heart or lung conditions.
