GRAP-1 pollution curbs enforced in Delhi-NCR as air quality plunges into poor category
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented in four stages depending on the severity of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
PTC News Desk: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after the national capital’s air quality slipped into the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday, following Dussehra celebrations overnight.
The restrictions came into effect immediately after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 244 at 2 pm on Wednesday, according to the CAQM. The commission said it had issued a revised GRAP schedule on September 29, 2026, directing the concerned agencies to take steps to control air pollution across Delhi-NCR and nearby areas.
“The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas has issued revised schedule of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) dated 29.09.2026 for implementation with immediate effect by all concerned agencies for mitigating air pollution in NCR…," the CAQM said in a statement.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI stood at 238 at 10 am on Wednesday, marking the first ‘poor’ air quality day of the season. This was 59 points higher than Tuesday afternoon’s reading of 179.
Data from 56 of Delhi’s 59 air quality monitoring stations showed that Jahangirpuri and Pusa recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, with AQI levels of 308 and 314, respectively. Meanwhile, 16 monitoring stations, including Anand Vihar, reported ‘moderate’ air quality.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa claimed this is the first time in years that GRAP has been implemented so late in the season.
“Delhi has been grappling with severe air pollution for several years. While the previous government continued to make excuses, we have adopted both short-term and long-term measures to tackle pollution. Public participation has played a crucial role in our efforts. We are implementing an 11-point action plan, with the Centre and the Delhi government working together to control pollution. Our focus is on dust mitigation, promoting electric vehicles, controlling vehicular emissions and identifying local pollution sources,” he said.
Why are GRAP restrictions imposed ?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented in four stages depending on the severity of air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
Stage I – Poor: AQI between 201 and 300.
Stage II – Very Poor: AQI between 301 and 400.
Stage III – Severe: AQI between 401 and 450.
Stage IV – Severe Plus: AQI above 450.
Under Stage I, authorities take several steps to reduce pollution. These include regularly sweeping roads, sprinkling water to control dust, enforcing dust-control rules at construction sites and ensuring proper waste disposal.
Other measures include checking vehicles that produce excessive pollution, improving traffic management and controlling emissions from industries, power plants and brick kilns.
The decline in air quality is also linked to seasonal weather changes. Falling temperatures and changing wind speeds can slow the movement of pollutants, causing them to build up in the atmosphere and worsen pollution levels.