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Delhi Chokes: Emergency Pollution Measures Activated
13 Dec
Summary
- Delhi's air quality reached the 'severe' category on Saturday morning.
- Stage 3 of GRAP, an emergency pollution control plan, has been invoked.
- Construction bans and restrictions on older vehicles are now in effect.
The air quality in Delhi deteriorated significantly, reaching the 'severe' category on Saturday morning, December 13, 2025. This alarming development prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to immediately invoke Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This stage represents a set of stringent emergency measures aimed at curbing the escalating air pollution across the National Capital Region (NCR).
Implementing Stage 3 of GRAP brings forth several critical restrictions. Construction and demolition activities are now prohibited throughout the NCR to minimize dust pollution. Furthermore, older vehicles, specifically BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles, are banned from plying in Delhi and key NCR districts. These measures are crucial in the battle against hazardous air quality.
Beyond industrial and vehicular restrictions, educational continuity is also being addressed. Classes for students up to Grade 5 in Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar are mandated to transition to a hybrid learning mode. This decision aims to protect young students from the harmful effects of severe air pollution.
