Delhi’s Air Quality Hits Crisis Point: GRAP-III Curbs Imposed After AQI Breaches 400

Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) are once again battling hazardous air pollution levels as the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 400 mark, falling into the “severe” category. Authorities have now enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle the crisis.

AQI Surge and Cause of Deterioration

On Tuesday morning, several monitoring stations across Delhi recorded AQI readings above 420, with some areas such as Wazirpur and Bawana crossing 450. The sharp rise is attributed to stagnant weather conditions, low wind speeds, vehicular emissions, dust from construction sites, and crop residue burning in nearby states. The winter temperature inversion has further trapped pollutants close to the ground, worsening smog conditions across the city.

What GRAP-III Means

With the AQI entering the severe category, authorities have implemented GRAP Stage III restrictions — among the most stringent anti-pollution measures before a full emergency shutdown. These include:

• Ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities except those related to defence, healthcare, and national projects.
• Prohibition of older high-emission vehicles — petrol vehicles up to BS-III and diesel vehicles up to BS-IV standards are barred from plying in Delhi-NCR.
• Private companies and government offices advised to promote work-from-home or hybrid models to reduce vehicular congestion.
• Schools up to Class 5 instructed to shift to online classes.
• Ban on diesel generators for non-essential use and restrictions on certain industrial operations.
• Intensified road cleaning, dust suppression through water sprinklers, and strict monitoring of pollution sources.

Public Health Impact

With the AQI exceeding 400, experts warn of serious health effects even for healthy individuals. Common symptoms include throat irritation, coughing, watery eyes, and difficulty in breathing. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions are particularly vulnerable. Hospitals across Delhi have reported an increase in cases of asthma attacks and respiratory distress.

Why Delhi Suffers Each Winter

Delhi’s air pollution problem is an annual crisis caused by a mix of local and regional factors. The main contributors include:

• Exhaust emissions from vehicles and industries.
• Construction and road dust.
• Crop-residue burning in Punjab and Haryana.
• Weather conditions such as low wind speed and temperature inversion that trap pollutants.

Every year, the onset of winter reduces the natural dispersion of pollutants, causing the city to remain blanketed in toxic smog for weeks.

How Citizens Can Protect Themselves

Residents have been advised to take the following precautions:

• Regularly check AQI updates before going outdoors.
• Wear N95 or KN95 masks when outside.
• Avoid morning walks, outdoor workouts, and unnecessary travel.
• Keep windows closed and use air purifiers indoors.
• Those with respiratory issues should keep medication and inhalers handy.
• Support carpooling and use of public transport to reduce emissions.

Government and Civic Response

Alongside restrictions, local authorities are deploying anti-smog guns, increasing frequency of mechanical road sweeping, and closely monitoring industrial zones. Teams from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) are inspecting pollution hotspots to ensure compliance with GRAP guidelines.

The Bigger Picture

The imposition of GRAP-III once again highlights the urgency of structural reforms to combat air pollution. Short-term measures can only provide temporary relief. Experts emphasize the need for long-term actions such as adopting cleaner fuels, electrifying transport, enforcing construction dust control, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to curb stubble burning.

Final Takeaway

The activation of GRAP-III shows that Delhi’s air-quality emergency has reached a critical point. While immediate restrictions aim to prevent further deterioration, residents must adopt precautionary practices to protect their health. Long-term and coordinated efforts across states remain essential if Delhi-NCR is to breathe clean air in the coming years.