GRAP 2 restrictions in Delhi: What’s allowed and what’s not

Delhi authorities launched intensified anti-pollution measures on Sunday, implementing new policies such as increased parking charges and work-from-home requirements for government and private sector offices. The objective is to reduce toxic smog, a recurring issue in India's capital during the winter months. These measures include the prohibition of vehicles not meeting emission standards from entering the city, and an immediate ban on demolition and outdoor construction activities that generate dust.

This action plan, announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's office, began on November 1st with increased monitoring and enforcement efforts.

Delhi's Winter Action Plan aims to cut emissions through stricter controls and 24/7 surveillance. The government has previously implemented pollution-control measures, including banning trash burning and limiting food stalls that use coal or firewood. However, despite these efforts, the annual smog typically occurs from November to January due to cooler temperatures that trap pollutants close to the ground.

Key contributors to pollution include vehicle emissions (23%), coal-fired power plants (9%), industrial activity (9%), and crop residue burning in neighboring states (20%). PM2.5, a harmful pollutant, frequently surpasses 300 micrograms per cubic meter during peak winter months, 20 times the recommended limit set by the World Health Organization.

Last year, pollution levels reached a peak of 846 micrograms per cubic meter, 56 times the WHO guideline. On Sunday, monitors recorded PM2.5 at 201 micrograms per cubic meter, over 13 times the safe limit, likely influenced by brief periods of rain. A 2024 study in The Lancet Planetary Health found that air pollution in India caused approximately 3.8 million deaths between 2009 and 2019.

The Lancet Planetary Health reported in Delhi's Winter Action Plan, stricter traffic and construction restrictions are in place to reduce winter air pollution. On Sunday, PM2.5 levels measured 201 micrograms per cubic meter, 13 times the WHO daily guideline.