Delhi grapples with 'very poor' air quality; GRAP Stage-III enforced

Delhi's air quality worsens, leading to GRAP Stage-III enforcement and restrictions.

Photo by Ronak Naik

Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the 'very poor' category, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to implement Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This includes a ban on construction and demolition activities across the National Capital Region. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are prohibited in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Schools in these districts will shift to hybrid mode for classes up to Class 5. The city's overall AQI was 354, with some stations recording 'severe' levels. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that mist spray systems will be deployed at 62 identified pollution hotspots. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a comprehensive plan to reduce PM2.5 levels over the next four years, aiming to expand the bus fleet to 14,000 by March 2029.

Key Facts

AQI in Delhi: 'Very poor' category

GRAP Stage-III: Construction ban, vehicle restrictions

Bus fleet target: 14,000 by March 2029

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper III: Environment and Ecology, Pollution

Linkage to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Potential for questions on environmental legislation and policies

Visual Insights

Air Quality Alert: GRAP Stage-III Enforcement in Delhi-NCR (2026)

Map showing areas affected by GRAP Stage-III enforcement due to 'very poor' air quality in Delhi-NCR. Includes key cities and pollution hotspots.

Loading interactive map...

📍Delhi📍Gurugram📍Faridabad📍Ghaziabad📍Gautam Buddha Nagar

More Information

Background

The issue of air pollution in Delhi has a long and complex history, dating back to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the city in the latter half of the 20th century. The increasing number of vehicles, industrial emissions, and construction activities contributed significantly to the deteriorating air quality. Early attempts to address the problem included the introduction of compressed natural gas (CNG) for public transport in the early 2000s, following a Supreme Court directive.

However, these measures proved insufficient to curb the rising pollution levels, particularly during the winter months when meteorological conditions exacerbate the problem. The establishment of bodies like the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and later the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) marked significant steps towards a more structured and comprehensive approach to tackling air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been a greater focus on source apportionment studies to identify the major contributors to air pollution in Delhi. These studies have highlighted the significant role of stubble burning in neighboring states, particularly during the post-monsoon season. The government has been promoting the use of alternative technologies for crop residue management and providing subsidies to farmers to discourage burning.

The implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has become more stringent, with stricter enforcement of measures during periods of high pollution. There is also increasing emphasis on promoting electric vehicles and improving public transportation infrastructure to reduce vehicular emissions. The long-term goal is to achieve sustained improvements in air quality through a combination of regulatory measures, technological interventions, and public awareness campaigns.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): 1. GRAP is a set of emergency measures implemented to reduce air pollution based on pre-determined air quality levels. 2. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is responsible for implementing GRAP in the National Capital Region (NCR). 3. GRAP measures are uniformly applied across all states within the NCR. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. GRAP is implemented based on AQI levels by CAQM. Statement 3 is incorrect because implementation can vary slightly based on state-specific regulations within the NCR.

2. Which of the following fuels is/are permitted for use in vehicles during Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi NCR? 1. BS-III Petrol 2. BS-IV Diesel 3. BS-VI Petrol Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A.1 only
B.3 only
C.1 and 2 only
D.2 and 3 only

Show Answer

Answer: B

Only BS-VI petrol vehicles are permitted during Stage-III of GRAP. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are prohibited to reduce emissions.

3. Assertion (A): Implementation of GRAP Stage-III includes a ban on construction and demolition activities in Delhi NCR. Reason (R): Construction and demolition activities contribute significantly to particulate matter (PM) pollution, especially PM2.5 and PM10. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: A

Both the assertion and the reason are correct, and the reason correctly explains why construction and demolition activities are banned during GRAP Stage-III.