Delhi: GRAP 3 kicks in; check what's banned

Delhi's air quality reached a "very poor" level of 382 on Friday, prompting Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to take effect. This emergency measure, activated two days before Diwali, aims to prevent the air quality from deteriorating further and entering the severe category across the capital region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented stricter curbs on vehicles, construction activities, and other pollution sources ahead of the festival season.

Under GRAP Stage III, several measures targeting Delhi and the neighboring National Capital Region (NCR) in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan are now in force. These restrictions include prohibitions on non-essential construction and demolition work, such as major excavation and earthwork. Essential projects may proceed, but they must adhere to stringent dust-control measures.

Vehicle restrictions encompass BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, as well as older light and medium goods vehicles and non-Delhi-registered diesel commercial vehicles entering the capital.

Industrial operations, particularly stone crushers and mining activities, face shutdowns or operational restrictions to minimize dust and particulate emissions. Other non-essential operations contributing significantly to dust pollution are also subject to curbs. On the other hand, schools, Metro services, and public buses are allowed to continue with additional Metro trips and more buses on the road to encourage public transportation and curtail private vehicle usage.

The four-tier GRAP system was developed by CAQM in collaboration with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state governments. The restrictions intensify with worsening air quality predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).