The national capital has been grappling with deteriorating air quality, and on Tuesday, the situation reached alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing 400 and peaking at 429 in the morning. The surge in pollution prompted the Delhi government to enforce stage-III of its Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of measures designed to control air pollution and mitigate its impact on public health. In certain areas of the city, AQI readings soared even higher, with Mundka recording 464, RK Puram and Mathura Road at 458, Nehru Nagar at 456, Sirifort at 454, ITO at 452, and Sri Aurobindo Marg at 421, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)’s Sameer app. Across the Delhi-NCR region, 38 of the 39 active monitoring stations registered ‘severe’ levels of pollution, signalling a public health emergency and necessitating immediate action.

The GRAP framework is a tiered system of measures that the Delhi government enforces when pollution levels reach critical thresholds. Stage III is considered a high-alert category and is implemented when the AQI enters the ‘severe’ range of 401–500. At this level, pollution affects not only vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions but also healthy individuals. The primary objective of the GRAP is to reduce emissions from key sources, including vehicular traffic, construction activities, and industrial operations, while minimizing public exposure to hazardous air.

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Restrictions on Construction and Demolition Activities

One of the most significant measures under GRAP-III is the complete prohibition of non-essential construction and demolition work across Delhi. This includes activities that generate large amounts of dust and particulate matter, which significantly contribute to air pollution. Specific operations that are halted include earth excavation, piling, and the laying of sewer lines or electric cables through open trenches. Additionally, the operation of Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) batching plants, which are often a source of significant dust emissions, is also suspended during this period.

Essential public projects such as metro construction, railway infrastructure development, airport expansion, defence-related activities, sanitation services, and healthcare construction are exempt from the ban. However, even these activities are required to follow strict dust and waste management protocols to ensure that their operations do not exacerbate the air quality crisis. The government has emphasized that while essential projects must continue to maintain city functionality, they must do so in a manner that limits environmental impact.

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Vehicle Restrictions and Transportation Measures

Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, particularly during winter months when meteorological conditions trap pollutants near the ground. Under GRAP-III, the government has imposed restrictions on certain vehicles to curb emissions.

• Private Vehicles: All BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles (LMVs), including four-wheelers registered in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida, are restricted from operation unless deemed essential.
• Commercial Vehicles: Non-essential diesel-run BS-IV medium goods vehicles are prohibited. Similarly, BS-IV and lower diesel light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are banned unless they are transporting essential goods or providing essential services.

These measures are intended to reduce vehicular congestion and limit emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and other pollutants that contribute to the hazardous air quality. Authorities have also urged citizens to use public transport wherever possible and to avoid non-essential travel until pollution levels subside.

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Workplace and Employee Guidelines

The enforcement of GRAP-III extends to workplaces as well. Organizations and institutions are encouraged to adopt work-from-home or hybrid work arrangements during this period to minimize employee commuting and reduce vehicle emissions. By limiting the number of people traveling to offices, authorities aim to decrease traffic-related air pollution and protect employees from exposure to toxic air.

For businesses and industries that cannot shift operations remotely, management is advised to implement internal measures to protect staff, such as providing air purifiers, minimizing outdoor work, and avoiding non-essential outdoor activities during peak pollution hours.

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School and Student Advisory

In many instances when GRAP-III is enforced, schools and educational institutions transition to online classes to protect children from severe pollution. Travel to and from schools is discouraged, and outdoor physical activities are suspended to prevent students from breathing in hazardous air. As of now, the Delhi-NCR authorities have not officially announced school closures, but parents and educational administrators are advised to monitor air quality levels closely and take precautionary measures to safeguard children, who are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illnesses caused by high pollution levels.

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Public Health and Safety Measures

Severe air pollution poses immediate and long-term health risks. An AQI in the 401–500 range, classified as ‘severe’, can affect even healthy individuals, causing irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, respiratory distress, and increased susceptibility to infections. Those with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, heart disease, or chronic lung disorders are at a heightened risk of serious complications.

Health authorities recommend that residents:

• Limit outdoor activities as much as possible.
• Wear masks that filter fine particulate matter (such as N95 or equivalent) when venturing outside.
• Use air purifiers indoors if available.
• Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors.
• Keep windows and doors closed during peak pollution hours.

For context, the AQI categories are as follows:

• 100–200 (Moderate): Causes breathing discomfort for people with lung disease, asthma, or heart conditions.
• 201–300 (Poor): Causes breathing discomfort for most people on prolonged exposure.
• 301–400 (Very Poor): Causes respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.
• 401–500 (Severe): Impacts healthy people and exacerbates conditions in those with existing diseases.

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Exemptions and Essential Services

While GRAP-III restricts non-essential activities, several sectors are allowed to continue their operations due to their critical nature. These include:

• Railways and metro construction, essential for urban mobility.
• Airports and aviation-related activities.
• Defence installations and operations.
• Healthcare facilities, including hospitals and emergency services.
• Sanitation and waste management services, critical for maintaining hygiene and public health.

Even these sectors are required to adopt measures to control dust, manage waste, and reduce emissions, thereby preventing further deterioration of air quality.

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Conclusion

The implementation of GRAP-III in Delhi reflects the seriousness of the air pollution crisis in the national capital. With AQI levels breaching 429 and some areas recording values above 460, immediate intervention is necessary to reduce emissions, safeguard public health, and prevent long-term respiratory and cardiovascular damage.

Residents are urged to follow government guidelines carefully, limit outdoor exposure, and comply with vehicle and construction restrictions. Workplaces, schools, and public institutions are encouraged to adopt measures such as remote work, online classes, and suspension of non-essential activities to reduce the city’s pollution footprint.

The GRAP-III framework demonstrates a proactive approach by authorities to tackle severe air pollution through coordinated actions across multiple sectors, targeting the primary sources of emissions while ensuring essential services continue to function. As Delhi battles this seasonal surge in pollution, public cooperation remains crucial in mitigating health risks and returning the city to safer air quality levels.