New Delhi: As the national capital’s air quality dipped sharply ahead of Diwali, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday invoked Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the NCR, following a steady rise in pollution levels and forecasts of further deterioration.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 302 at 7 pm, up from 296 at 4 pm, officially entering the ‘Very Poor’ category. The CAQM noted in its notification that the AQI has shown an increasing trend since morning and may worsen further, as projected by IMD and IITM forecasts.
Out of 38 air monitoring stations, 12 reported ‘very poor’ air quality, with Anand Vihar (430) recording the highest AQI, followed by Wazirpur (364), Vivek Vihar (351), Dwarka (335), and RK Puram (323). Other localities such as Siri Fort, Dilshad Garden, Jahangirpuri, Punjabi Bagh, Nehru Nagar, Ashok Vihar, and Bawana also remained in the “very poor” bracket.
This escalation follows the Stage I restrictions implemented earlier this week — the first this season. In response to the worsening conditions, the CAQM has now activated Stage II measures as a precautionary step to mitigate the pollution surge.
Key Restrictions Under GRAP Stage II
• Daily mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling on identified stretches.
• Strict dust control at all construction and demolition sites.
• Discouragement of diesel generator use.
• Public advisories through media to minimise polluting activities.
• Increase in parking fees to discourage private vehicle use.
• Enhanced public transport services, including additional CNG and electric buses and increased metro frequency.
• Citizens urged to reduce personal vehicle usage and shift to public transport.
The CAQM has appealed to citizens, government agencies, and private institutions to cooperate fully in ensuring the effective enforcement of GRAP norms, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility to curb air pollution ahead of the festive season.
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