GRAP-II pollution curbs imposed in Delhi-NCR as air quality dips further

The Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, is a step-by-step system for responding to worsening air pollution. Each stage adds stronger controls. The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage II across Delhi-NCR after Delhi's AQI reached 324, placing it in the 'very poor' category.

Stage II requires authorities to intensify road cleaning, water sprinkling and anti-smog-gun use. They must manage garbage and construction waste, stop open burning, check polluting vehicles and enforce pollution-control rules at industries, brick kilns and power plants. Coal and firewood use in tandoors is also restricted.

The measures matter because unfavourable weather was expected to keep pollution high. Metro, RRTS, CNG and electric bus services will increase, while diesel-generator use remains regulated. People are urged to use public transport, carpool, maintain vehicles and avoid burning waste or bursting firecrackers.

An AQI of 324 means air pollution is in the 'very poor' category on India's Air Quality Index. The number is a combined reading of pollutants, with higher values indicating worse air. The article reports that Delhi reached 324 at 4pm, after rising from 261 the previous day.

On the commonly used Indian scale, AQI 201-300 is 'poor', 301-400 is 'very poor', and 401-500 is 'severe'. Therefore, 324 is worse than 'poor' but below the 'severe' range. The article records the contrast clearly: Delhi's citywide reading was 324, while Jahangirpuri recorded 417.

The article does not detail health effects for each category. It does show worsening conditions, with 36 of 58 available stations reporting 'very poor' air and Jahangirpuri alone reaching 'severe'. Unfavourable weather could keep pollution elevated in coming days.

Delhi's pollution was not confined to one neighbourhood. Of the city's 59 air-quality monitoring stations, data was available from 58 on Monday. The readings show that most reporting stations were already in unhealthy categories.

Thirty-six stations recorded 'very poor' air. Jahangirpuri was the only station in the 'severe' category, with an AQI of 417. Five stations were still in the 'moderate' category, while the remaining stations were in the 'poor' category. Adding the 36 'very poor' stations and one 'severe' station gives 37 stations at those two levels.

The spread of readings explains why CAQM applied Stage II across the entire NCR rather than targeting only Jahangirpuri. Delhi's overall AQI was 324 at 4pm, and weather forecasts warned that pollution could remain in the 'very poor' category over the following days.

On roads, agencies will increase mechanical cleaning, water sprinkling and anti-smog-gun use to control dust. They will collect garbage and construction waste properly, stop open burning and place traffic police at busy intersections. These steps target dust and congestion, two contributors to roadside pollution.

Vehicle enforcement will include checks for valid PUC certificates, action against visibly polluting vehicles and stricter enforcement of rules for older diesel and petrol vehicles. Construction waste must be managed, while industries, brick kilns and power plants face inspections. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries must stop using coal or firewood in tandoors and switch to electricity or gas.

Power supply should remain uninterrupted to reduce diesel-generator use. Metro, RRTS, CNG and electric bus services will become more frequent. Offices are encouraged to arrange shared transport, helping reduce vehicle emissions during the pollution episode.

The Commission for Air Quality Management, or CAQM, ordered Stage II of GRAP across the National Capital Region with immediate effect. Its GRAP sub-committee reviewed Delhi's air-quality situation and forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology before issuing the order.

The order directs all concerned agencies to implement both Stage I and Stage II measures. Civic authorities must clean roads, sprinkle water, manage waste and prevent open burning. Traffic police must control congestion and check vehicles. Officials must inspect industries, brick kilns and power plants, while authorities oversee fuel use in eateries and regulate diesel generators.

This is a coordinated NCR response rather than a single-city action. Enforcement depends on the relevant agencies carrying out their assigned tasks, including more public transport and pollution checks. Residents can report violations through the 311, Green Delhi and SAMEER apps.

Heavy rain had temporarily washed pollutants from the air. Delhi's AQI stood at 60 on Friday, described as the Capital's cleanest October day in four years. That improvement did not last. The reading rose to 117 on October 31, 261 on November 1 and 324 on November 2.

The article links the rebound to emissions building up under unfavourable weather. Meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya said winds were coming from the northwest but conditions were calm. With little effective dispersion, pollution from traffic, dust, burning and other sources can remain in the atmosphere instead of being cleared quickly. The article also notes that smog season had begun.

CAQM expected the 'very poor' category to continue over the coming days. Dahiya said no favourable meteorological conditions were expected for seven to 10 days, raising concern that smog would worsen across Delhi-NCR and the northern plains.

Wind affects pollution by moving and mixing the air. Stronger winds generally carry pollutants away and dilute them over a wider area. Calm or very light winds provide less movement, so emissions from vehicles, dust, burning and industry can remain concentrated near the ground. This basic mechanism explains why stable air can produce persistent smog.

Wind direction also matters. It determines where pollution travels and which areas may receive emissions from elsewhere. The article reports northwesterly winds over Delhi-NCR. It also quotes meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya saying the calm conditions meant emissions would persist in the atmosphere for longer.

The article does not provide wind-speed measurements or a detailed atmospheric-stability forecast. It does report that no favourable weather was expected for seven to 10 days. That outlook suggested limited dispersion and a risk of worsening smog across Delhi-NCR and the northern plains.