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Delhi Air Quality Hits Severe: GRAP Stage III Activated
8 Nov
Summary
- Delhi's AQI reached 483, categorizing the air as 'severe'.
- Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan is now enforced.
- BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are prohibited in NCR.
Delhi's air quality plummeted to a 'severe' level with an AQI of 483 on Sunday morning, significantly worse than the previous day. This sharp deterioration prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR. This emergency measure, activated two days before Diwali, introduces stringent restrictions to combat escalating pollution.
Under Stage III, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are banned in Delhi and surrounding NCR districts. Non-essential construction activities causing significant dust, such as excavation and road work, have been suspended. Stone crushers and mining operations also face shutdowns. These actions are part of a broader four-stage framework designed to progressively control air quality.
The GRAP Stage III measures are implemented based on air quality and meteorological forecasts to prevent further deterioration. They complement existing Stage I and Stage II restrictions, focusing on vehicular emissions and dust pollution. The goal is to mitigate the impact of Diwali celebrations and the onset of winter on the region's air quality.
