CAQM invokes Stage-III of Extent GRAP in Entire Delhi-NCR, with immediate effect

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change CAQM invokes Stage-III of Extent GRAP in Entire Delhi-NCR, with immediate effect Slow Wind Speed, Stable Atmosphere, Unfavourable Meteorological Conditions caused Lack of Dispersal of Pollutants and contributed to Deterioration of Air Quality प्रव तथ: 13 DEC 2025 7:04PM by PIB Delhi Today, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) has been on an increasing trend since morning and clocked 401 at 10 AM. In wake of deteriorating air quality of Delhi, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) convened its meeting today. All actions as envisaged under Stage-III of extant GRAP – ‘Severe’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI ranging between 401-450), have been invoked in Entire Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I & II of extant GRAP already in-force in NCR. Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been directed to ensure strict implementation of actions under Stage-III of extant GRAP, in addition to actions under Stages I & II of GRAP during this period. The significant reason for this spike is not contributed by the emissions but the feeble Western Disturbance approaching north-west India. This prevailing meteorological condition has marked reduction in wind speed, at times becoming calm, a shift in wind direction from westerly to easterly, and an increase in moisture content in the lower atmosphere. Such conditions during the winter season are conducive to the formation of smog and fog, resulting in poor dispersion and trapping of pollutants near the surface. Owing to these adverse meteorological conditions, a sudden deterioration in air quality has been observed. A 9-point action plan as per Stage-III of extant GRAP is applicable with immediate effect in the entire NCR. It includes steps to be implemented/ ensured by different agencies including Pollution Control Boards of NCR and DPCC. These steps are: 1. Construction & Demolition activities: (i) Enforce strict restrictions on the following categories of dust generating/ air pollution causing C&D activities in the entire NCR: Earthwork for excavation and filling including boring & drilling works. Piling works. All demolition works. Laying of sewer line, water line, drainage and electric cabling etc. by open trench system. Brick / masonry works. Operation of RMC batching plant. Major welding and gas-cutting operations. Minor welding activities for MEP works (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing) to be, however, permitted.Painting, polishing and varnishing works etc. Cement, Plaster / other coatings, except for minor indoor repairs/ maintenance. Cutting / grinding and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials, except for minor indoor repairs/ maintenance. Road construction activities and major repairs. Transfer, loading / unloading of dust generating materials like cement, fly-ash, bricks, sand, murram, pebbles, crushed stone etc. anywhere within / outside the project sites. Movement of vehicles carrying construction materials on unpaved roads. Any transportation of demolition waste. (ii) All construction related activities, other than those listed under 1(i) above, which are relatively less polluting / less dust generating shall be permitted to be continued in the NCR, subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time. (iii) All C&D related activities, including those under 1(i) above, shall be continued to be permitted only for the following categories of projects, however subject to strict compliance of the C&D Waste Management Rules, dust prevention/ control norms including compliance with the directions of the Commission issued from time to time: a. Projects for Railway services and stations b. Projects for Metro Rail Services and stations c. Airports and Inter State Bus Terminals d. National security/ defence related activities/ projects of national importance e. Hospitals/ health care facilities f. Linear public projects such as highways, roads, flyovers, over bridges, power transmission/ distribution, pipelines, tele-communication services etc. g. Sanitation projects like sewage treatment plants and water supply projects etc. h. Ancillary activities, specific to and supplementing the above project categories. 2. Close down operations of stone crushers in the entire NCR. 3. Close down all mining and associated activities in the entire NCR. 4. NCR State Govts. / GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs (4-wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Note: Persons with Disabilities shall be permitted to ply BS–III Petrol / BS–IV Diesel LMVs, provided that these are specifically adopted for them and are run only for their personal use. 5. GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi - registered Diesel operated Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) to BS-IV standards or below, in Delhi, except those vehicles carrying essential commodities / providing essential services. 6. GNCTD to not permit BS-IV diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers) registered outside Delhi, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services. 7. (i) State Govts. in the NCR and the GNCTD to mandatorily conduct classes in schools for children up to class V in a “Hybrid” mode i.e., both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode isfeasible) in the territorial jurisdiction of the NCT of Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. (ii) The NCR State Governments may also consider conducting classes for students up to Class V in a “Hybrid” mode as above 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. 8. NCR State Governments / GNCTD to take a decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work on 50% strength and the rest to work from home. 9. The Central Government may take appropriate decisions on permitting work from home for employees in central government offices. Further, CAQM urges the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow the steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. In addition to steps under Citizen Charter of Stages I & II, citizens are advised to: Walk or use cycles for small distances. Choose a cleaner commute. Share a ride to work or use public transport. People, whose positions allow working from home, may work from home. Do not use coal and wood for heating purpose. Individual house owners may also provide electric heaters to security/ other staff employed by them to avoid open burning of bio-mass/ wood/ MSW. Combine errands and reduce trips. The Sub-Committee would be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decisions depending upon the Air Quality in Delhi and forecast made by IMD/ IITM. Complete details of the extant schedule of GRAP are available on the Commission’s website and can be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in ***** VM/SK (रलीज़ आईडी: 2203566) आगंतुक पटल : 10428 इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही