Updated on: October 14, 2025 | New Delhi
As the national capital once again finds itself enveloped in a haze of pollution ahead of the festive season, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. The decision, announced on Tuesday, follows the steady deterioration of the city’s air quality over recent days, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 234 by 4 PM — a figure firmly within the “poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
This marks the beginning of what has now become an annual battle for Delhi and its surrounding regions — a coordinated effort between multiple government agencies, pollution boards, and citizens to arrest the decline in air quality as temperatures drop and emissions rise. The enforcement of Stage I curbs is not just a symbolic gesture; it represents the first stage of a graded system of interventions that tighten progressively as pollution levels worsen through the winter months.
Why GRAP Stage I Has Been Enforced Now
The decision to implement Stage I measures comes after the CAQM’s sub-committee met earlier this week to review data trends and forecasts for particulate matter concentrations across the NCR. The meeting, attended by senior officials from pollution control boards of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, concluded that immediate preventive action was required to prevent the situation from slipping into the “very poor” or “severe” categories.
According to a press note issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the committee “unanimously decided that all actions as envisaged under Stage-I of GRAP – ‘Poor’ Air Quality (Delhi AQI ranging between 201–300), be implemented in right earnest by all the agencies concerned, from 8:00 AM of 15.10.2025 in the NCR.”
This means that the entire National Capital Region — including Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad, and surrounding districts — will now fall under the Stage I regime of GRAP enforcement.
What Is GRAP and How Does It Work?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was first introduced in 2017 as a legal mechanism under the Environment (Protection) Act, following directions from the Supreme Court of India. Its purpose is to provide a structured, time-bound set of interventions to tackle air pollution based on the severity of air quality conditions.
The plan is divided into four stages corresponding to different AQI ranges:
- Stage I (Poor): AQI 201–300
- Stage II (Very Poor): AQI 301–400
- Stage III (Severe): AQI 401–450
- Stage IV (Severe+): AQI above 450
Each stage introduces progressively stricter restrictions on vehicle use, industrial emissions, construction activities, and waste burning. Stage I, now in force, focuses primarily on preventive and enforcement measures to address dust, vehicular emissions, and open burning.
Vehicle-Related Curbs Under GRAP Stage I
Given that vehicular emissions account for nearly 40% of Delhi’s total particulate pollution in the winter, car and truck curbs form the backbone of the Stage I strategy. However, unlike higher stages that impose partial bans or odd-even schemes, the current phase emphasizes compliance, enforcement, and behavioral change.
Permitted and Encouraged:
- Private vehicles that meet PUC (Pollution Under Control) norms can continue to ply.
- Hybrid, CNG, and electric vehicles (EVs) are encouraged for personal and commercial use.
- Public transport systems such as the Delhi Metro, DTC and cluster buses, e-rickshaws, and shared cabs will continue operations normally.
- Offices and companies have been urged to initiate unified or pooled commute systems for employees to reduce vehicular traffic.
- Carpooling and ride-sharing are recommended alternatives to single-passenger commutes.
Prohibited or Restricted:
- End-of-life vehicles — i.e., diesel vehicles over 10 years old and petrol vehicles over 15 years old — are banned from operating in Delhi-NCR.
- Visibly polluting vehicles, especially those emitting thick black smoke, will face impoundment or maximum penalty under PUC laws.
- Non-destined trucks — heavy commercial vehicles passing through Delhi but not delivering goods to the city — are to be diverted via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, in compliance with Supreme Court orders.
- Diesel generator (DG) sets are barred from being used as regular power sources, except for emergency services such as hospitals, railways, airports, and essential utilities.
- Vehicle idling is discouraged. Motorists must switch off engines at red lights or while stationary for more than a minute.
These measures aim to reduce direct emissions from the transportation sector while maintaining essential economic and civic mobility.
Citizen Responsibilities and Advisory Under GRAP I
The CAQM’s citizen charter outlines a detailed list of steps that individuals can take to support the implementation of Stage I. These are simple behavioral changes that collectively can have a measurable impact on emissions:
- Keep engines tuned and maintain tyre pressure to ensure efficient fuel combustion.
- Do not idle your vehicle unnecessarily; turn off the ignition at red lights.
- Ensure valid PUC certificates are carried at all times.
- Prefer public transport, cycling, or walking for short distances.
- Opt for electric or hybrid vehicles whenever possible.
- Avoid littering and dispose of waste responsibly.
- Refrain from open burning of leaves, plastic, or any waste material.
- Report air polluting activities — such as dust emissions, illegal construction, or garbage burning — using the Green Delhi App, 311 App, or SAMEER App.
- Plant and maintain trees, particularly local species that help in carbon absorption.
- Celebrate festivals sustainably by avoiding firecrackers and using eco-friendly decorations.
- Avoid driving old or non-compliant vehicles that are past the legal age limit.
The CAQM emphasized that without active citizen cooperation, administrative enforcement alone cannot control the city’s pollution levels.
The 27-Point Action Plan: What Agencies Must Implement
Beyond individual responsibility, GRAP’s success depends on inter-agency coordination. Under Stage I, a 27-point action plan has been activated for all relevant authorities, including the DPCC, Municipal Corporations, Public Works Departments, Transport Departments, and Traffic Police.
Key Measures Include:
- Mechanized road sweeping and regular water sprinkling to minimize road dust, particularly along major corridors and construction zones.
- Scientific disposal of collected dust and debris in designated landfill sites to prevent re-suspension.
- Deployment of anti-smog guns at major construction and demolition sites, as well as large-scale maintenance projects.
- Vigilance at landfill sites to prevent fires and spontaneous combustion events.
- Strict enforcement of PUC norms through random checks and mobile testing units.
- Zero tolerance for visible emissions — vehicles seen emitting smoke may be impounded immediately.
- Implementation of Supreme Court orders on diversion of truck traffic and prohibition of overaged vehicles.
- Ban on open burning of biomass, agricultural residue, and municipal solid waste.
- Mandate for restaurants, hotels, and eateries to use only clean fuels such as electricity, PNG, or LPG — not coal or wood.
- Restriction on DG set use, except for emergency purposes.
- Encouragement of workplace carpool programs to reduce vehicular load during peak hours.
- Ensuring compliance with firecracker bans as per NGT and Supreme Court directives.
These measures will be monitored daily, with compliance reports to be submitted to the CAQM by local enforcement agencies.
How the AQI Triggers Different GRAP Stages
To understand the context of these interventions, it is essential to recall how GRAP operates as a graded system based on AQI levels.
| Stage | AQI Range | Air Quality Category | Key Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage I | 201–300 | Poor | Preventive measures, dust control, vehicle compliance checks |
| Stage II | 301–400 | Very Poor | Ban on diesel gensets, enhanced public transport, restrictions on construction |
| Stage III | 401–450 | Severe | Suspension of construction activities, ban on truck entry, closure of brick kilns |
| Stage IV | 450+ | Severe+ | Work-from-home advisories, school closures, suspension of non-essential travel |
By acting early under Stage I, the CAQM hopes to prevent the situation from escalating to Stage II or beyond, where emergency interventions are required.
The Broader Context: Why Delhi’s Air Turns Toxic Every Year
Delhi’s air quality problem is multi-dimensional, involving a mix of vehicle emissions, road dust, construction pollution, industrial output, and seasonal stubble burning from neighbouring states. With the onset of cooler temperatures in October, wind speeds drop, trapping pollutants close to the surface. The festive season — especially Diwali — further worsens conditions due to firecracker use.
Experts from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) predict that particulate matter levels may continue to rise over the next two weeks unless aggressive controls are maintained.
The CPCB data shows that Delhi’s AQI has been above 200 for the last five consecutive days, marking an early onset of the winter pollution season.
Enforcement and Monitoring
To ensure that GRAP Stage I measures are effectively implemented, the CAQM has directed all NCR pollution control boards to submit daily compliance reports. Flying squads and joint task forces will inspect industrial units, construction sites, and landfill areas. Traffic police have been instructed to intensify random checks for PUC violations and visible emissions.
Violators of GRAP norms may face penalties under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, including fines and closure orders.
Public Cooperation: The Key to Cleaner Air
While government agencies can enforce regulations, environmental experts stress that public participation remains the most crucial component. Small, individual changes — such as reducing personal vehicle use, maintaining vehicle efficiency, and avoiding waste burning — can collectively make a significant difference.
Citizens have also been encouraged to monitor local air quality using the SAMEER App (developed by CPCB) and to report violations through mobile platforms.
Looking Ahead
If air quality continues to deteriorate and AQI crosses the 300-mark, Stage II of GRAP may be activated, bringing with it additional restrictions such as a ban on DG sets, stricter construction activity control, and potential traffic rationing measures.
For now, however, the focus remains on compliance, awareness, and prevention. The CAQM has reiterated that early action under Stage I can mitigate the need for harsher restrictions later in the season.
Conclusion
Delhi’s air pollution crisis is no longer a seasonal inconvenience but a public health emergency that demands consistent action. The implementation of GRAP Stage I is the first line of defence against what could otherwise spiral into a toxic winter. Authorities, industries, and citizens must work in tandem to ensure that the measures succeed in keeping the city’s AQI within manageable limits.
The CAQM’s call for cooperation underscores a simple truth: clean air cannot be legislated into existence — it must be earned collectively through discipline, awareness, and accountability.
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