**Executive Summary**
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked a 5-point action plan under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the entire Delhi-NCR region, effective immediately. This decision follows a rise in the Air Quality Index (AQI) due to adverse weather conditions. The plan includes restrictions on vehicle entry, construction activities, and school operations, and calls for citizen cooperation. The announcement was made on January 17, 2026, at 10:05 PM.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Activation of GRAP Stage-IV:** Actions under Stage-IV of GRAP, targeting 'Severe+' air quality (Delhi's AQI > 450), are implemented immediately in the entire NCR, in addition to ongoing measures from Stages I, II, and III.
* **Vehicle Restrictions:**
* Entry of BS-IV truck traffic into Delhi is prohibited, except for trucks carrying essential commodities/providing essential services.
* LNG/CNG/Electric/BS-VI Diesel trucks are permitted to enter Delhi.
* Strictly enforced ban on plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated BS-IV and below Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities/providing essential services.
* **Construction and Demolition (C&D) Ban:**
* C&D activities are banned, similar to GRAP Stage-III, including linear public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, power transmission, pipelines, and telecommunication projects.
* **School Operations:**
* State Governments in the NCR and GNCTD are mandated to conduct classes for children in schools, including for classes VI to IX and XI, in a "Hybrid" mode (physical and online), wherever feasible, in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
* Other NCR State Governments may consider the "Hybrid" mode in other areas.
* The option to choose online education rests with students and their guardians.
* **Additional Measures:**
* State Governments may consider further emergency actions, such as the closure of colleges/educational institutions and non-emergency commercial activities, and implementing odd-even vehicle restrictions.
* **Citizen Advisory:**
* Citizens are urged to adhere to the Citizen Charter under GRAP.
* Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or other chronic diseases should avoid outdoor activities, stay indoors, and wear masks if they need to go outside.
**Impact Analysis**
**Agencies Responsible for Implementing GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC**
* **Impact:** Required to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-IV of GRAP and actions under Stage-I, II, III of extant GRAP.
* **Action Required:** Implement and enforce the restrictions and measures outlined in the 5-point action plan.
**State Governments in NCR and GNCTD**
* **Impact:** Need to implement specific mandates related to school operations.
* **Action Required:** Implement a hybrid model for classes VI to IX and XI in schools.
**General Public/Citizens of NCR**
* **Impact:** Restrictions on vehicle movement, potential school closures, and impact on construction activities will affect their daily routines. Health advisories affect outdoor activities.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to the Citizen Charter under GRAP, limit outdoor activities, and follow health advisories.
**Schools**
* **Impact:** Mandated to conduct classes in a "Hybrid" mode for higher grades.
* **Action Required:** Implement a hybrid model for classes VI to IX and XI, offering both physical and online classes.
Key Entities Referenced
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): A plan of actions to be taken based on the air quality in Delhi-NCR, aimed at preventing further deterioration of air quality.
Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM): The commission responsible for air quality management in the National Capital Region and surrounding areas.
Delhi-NCR: The National Capital Region of Delhi, including adjoining areas, where the air quality control measures are being implemented.
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB): An organization that monitors and reports on pollution levels, including the Air Quality Index (AQI).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
CAQM invokes 5-point action plan as per Stage-
IV of Extent GRAP in Entire Delhi-NCR, with
immediate effect
Western Disturbance, calm winds and highly unfavourable
meteorological conditions are the causes of degrading AQI in
the region
Posted On: 17 JAN 2026 10:05PM by PIB Delhi
Today, Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 400 at 4PM, as per the Daily AQI Bulletin by Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB), which further rose to 428 today at 8PM. In view of the rising trend in AQI owing
to Western Disturbance, calm winds and highly unfavourable weather/ meteorological conditions in the
region, the Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality
Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) called on an urgent meeting today in the evening.
Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air
quality in the region, the Sub-Committee on GRAP today has taken the call to proactively invoke all
actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of extant GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (Delhi’s AQI > 450), with
immediate effect in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the preventive/ restrictive actions mentioned
under Stage-I, II and III of extant GRAP already in-force. Various agencies responsible for implementing
measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to
ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-IV of extant schedule of GRAP in addition to all
actions under Stage-I, II, III of extant GRAP already in force, during this period.
A 5-point action plan as per Stage-IV of extant GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the entire
NCR. This 5-point action plan includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies and
Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC. These steps are:
1. Stop entry of BS-IV truck traffic into Delhi (except for trucks carrying essential commodities/
providing essential services.)
All LNG/ CNG / Electric/ BS-VI Diesel trucks shall however be permitted to enter Delhi.
2. Enforce strict ban on plying of Delhi - registered diesel operated BS-IV and below Heavy Goods
Vehicles (HGVs) in Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential
services.
3. Ban C&D activities, as in the GRAP Stage-III, also for linear public projects such as highways,
roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, tele-communication etc.
4.
i. State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD to mandatorily conduct classes in schools for
children even for higher classes i.e. from class VI to IX and XI in a “Hybrid” mode i.e., bothin physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) in the territorial jurisdiction
of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam
Buddha Nagar.
ii. The NCR State Governments may also consider conducting classes for students as above in a
“Hybrid” mode in other areas in NCR.
Note: The option to exercise the online mode of education, wherever available, shall vest with the
students and their guardians.
5. State Governments may consider additional emergency measures like closure of colleges/
educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, permitting running of
vehicles on odd-even basis of registration numbers etc.
Further, CAQM appeals to the citizens of NCR to adhere to the Citizen Charter under GRAP and assist in
effective implementation of the GRAP measures aimed towards sustaining and improving the Air Quality
in the Region. In addition to the Citizen Charter of Stage-I, Stage-II and Stage-III, citizens are advised as
under:
Children, elderly and those with respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases to
avoid outdoor activities and stay indoors, as much as possible. If required to move outdoors, they are
advised to wear mask.
The extant schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s website and can be accessed via https://ca
qm.nic.in
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