As Delhi wakes up to Diwali, it's not just firecrackers that are making news. On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) around India Gate was recorded at 347, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This spike comes just hours after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Sunday, in response to rapidly worsening air quality.
At 8:00 am Monday, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 411, Punjabi Bagh stood at 383, Bawana at 368, and Sirifort at 362. JLN Stadium reported 355, Alipur 319, while Ayanagar and North Campus both logged AQIs of 305. Even the IGI Airport station, typically cleaner due to open surroundings, stood at 297, just shy of the "very poor" threshold.
These fresh readings follow a sharp upward trend over the weekend. On Sunday, Delhi's average AQI touched 296 at 4:00 pm and rose to 302 by 7:00 pm. Out of 38 monitoring stations in the capital, 12 reported "very poor" air quality. Anand Vihar had already hit 430 by Sunday evening, while Wazirpur (364), Vivek Vihar (351), Dwarka (335), and RK Puram (323) also reported alarming levels. Areas such as Siri Fort, Dilshad Garden, Jahangirpuri, Nehru Nagar, Ashok Vihar, and Bawana were all above 300.
Meanwhile, Noida and Ghaziabad were categorised under "very poor" on Sunday, while Faridabad remained in the "moderate" bracket.
The CAQM's GRAP Sub-Committee convened an emergency meeting and reviewed inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). With Diwali emissions expected to worsen conditions, the panel unanimously approved additional curbs.
So, what exactly is GRAP Stage II, what restrictions have been activated, and what does this mean for the average citizen? Here's a detailed look.
What Is GRAP, And Why Is It Used?
Delhi's air pollution crisis is not new. Every year, as winter sets in, the city experiences a sharp drop in air quality, largely due to a combination of vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, low wind speed, and smoke from stubble burning in neighbouring states.
To deal with this recurring crisis, the government devised a tiered emergency response framework called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). It activates automatically when pollution levels cross certain thresholds, with each stage linked to the Air Quality Index (AQI), a numerical measure that reflects how polluted the air is.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI levels as follows:
GRAP, however, breaks the upper end of this scale into two stages:
While the CPCB considers anything between 401-500 as "severe", GRAP distinguishes between AQI up to 450 and levels that exceed it, triggering even harsher curbs under Stage IV.
Each stage builds on the measures of the previous one. Stage I was already in effect since October 14, when Delhi's AQI stood at 211. With the AQI climbing past 300 on Sunday and forecasts pointing to continued deterioration, CAQM moved to enforce Stage II across the NCR.
What Restrictions Are Now In Place Under GRAP Stage II?
The CAQM's Stage II enforcement brings into effect a 12-point action plan in addition to the Stage I curbs already in force. These measures, which must be implemented by agencies such as the Pollution Control Boards of NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), include the following:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued a press release on Sunday, urging citizens to follow the "specific steps" outlined in the Citizen Charter of Stages I and II. These include:
In addition, citizens have been asked to cooperate with local enforcement authorities and actively participate in curbing pollution through behavioural changes.
Are There Any Additional Bans?
Yes. Stage II also includes a ban on the use of coal and firewood, including tandoors, in hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries. This measure is aimed at reducing emissions from commercial cooking operations, a known source of PM2.5 during winter.
Diesel generator usage, already heavily restricted, has also been clearly outlined: only essential services are exempt. Violators may face penalties as per the local pollution control frameworks.
What Happens If AQI Crosses 400?
If Delhi's average AQI crosses 400, entering the "severe" category, CAQM is likely to enforce Stage III of GRAP. That would mean:
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely. If air quality crosses critical thresholds, these curbs could be activated without delay.