GRAP-3 in Delhi-NCR: Vehicle restrictions and more; what's allowed and what's not ahead of Diwali 2026

Stage III adds tougher controls to the pollution measures already operating under Stages I and II. Its main aim is to reduce dust, vehicle emissions and industrial pollution before air quality worsens further across Delhi-NCR.

Non-essential construction and demolition activities are prohibited. This includes excavation, road work, masonry, drilling, demolition, painting, welding, and cutting tiles or stones. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or older light vehicles cannot operate in Delhi or five specified NCR districts. Some older goods vehicles face separate entry restrictions.

Stone crushers, mining operations and hot-mix plants without approved clean fuels must remain shut. Diesel generators are prohibited except for emergency and essential services. Essential infrastructure construction can continue with dust controls, while lower-pollution work may proceed if it follows dust-mitigation and construction-waste rules. These restrictions remain active as authorities try to prevent severe pollution.

The Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, is an emergency framework for controlling air pollution across Delhi and the National Capital Region. It introduces progressively stricter measures as air quality worsens. Stage III is associated with the ‘severe’ air-quality category, so it brings stronger restrictions than Stages I and II.

CAQM can invoke a stage pre-emptively. For example, Delhi’s average AQI was 382 on Friday, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, although several monitoring stations recorded ‘severe’ readings. The commission still imposed Stage III because it expected pollution could worsen.

This approach matters because waiting for the official category to change could delay action. Forecasts and the likelihood of deterioration allow authorities to restrict construction, vehicles and industry earlier. The latest decision therefore shows that the stated category is not the only trigger for GRAP restrictions.

Stage III affects BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or older light motor vehicles, including four-wheelers. They are barred from operating in Delhi and in five high-vehicle-density NCR districts. Vehicles specially adapted for people with disabilities and used for their personal travel are exempt.

The five districts are Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar, also known as Noida. Separate restrictions cover goods vehicles. BS-IV and older diesel medium goods vehicles registered in Delhi are restricted, while certain outside-Delhi medium and light goods vehicles cannot enter the capital.

The rules therefore cover more than private cars in Delhi. They also affect regional traffic entering the capital and older commercial vehicles. Vehicles not covered, including eligible BS-VI, CNG and electric vehicles, may continue operating, subject to other applicable rules.

Stage III changes daily travel, schooling and work across Delhi-NCR. Older vehicles face bans or entry restrictions, while public transport is encouraged. Metro services and public buses can continue, and authorities are expected to add Metro trips and deploy more buses.

Schools up to Class 5 in Delhi and four NCR districts must offer hybrid classes wherever feasible. Students can attend physically or online. Other NCR districts may consider the same arrangement. State and Delhi governments may also decide that public, municipal and private offices operate with 50% of staff physically present.

Construction is affected most directly. Non-essential building and demolition work stops, but essential infrastructure projects can continue with prescribed dust controls. Lower-dust activities may also proceed if they meet construction-waste and mitigation rules. Private offices are advised to consider work-from-home or hybrid arrangements, while the Central government decides separately for its employees.

Stage III is restrictive, but it does not stop every vehicle, project or service. Vehicles outside the ban can continue under other applicable rules. The article specifically identifies eligible BS-VI, CNG and electric vehicles as permitted options for travel.

Construction linked to essential infrastructure may continue if it follows prescribed dust-control measures. Other activities that generate relatively less dust or pollution may also proceed when they meet dust-mitigation and construction-waste management norms. This creates a compliance-based route for some work to continue.

Metro services and public buses remain operational, with more trips and buses expected. Diesel generators may run when they provide emergency or essential services. Specially adapted vehicles used for the personal travel of people with disabilities are exempt. These exceptions preserve essential mobility, infrastructure and services while reducing avoidable pollution.

The Commission for Air Quality Management, or CAQM, decides when to invoke a GRAP stage. It can use current readings, forecasts and the likelihood of worsening air quality. In this case, it introduced Stage III even though Delhi’s average AQI remained in the ‘very poor’ category.

Enforcement involves restrictions on construction, vehicles, industries and generators across Delhi-NCR. State governments, the Delhi government and other authorities apply the rules in their areas. They can restrict vehicle movement, close non-compliant industrial operations and require dust-control measures. Transport authorities can also increase Metro trips and buses.

School and office arrangements involve different decision-makers. Schools up to Class 5 must use hybrid classes in Delhi and four named NCR districts, where feasible. Other NCR districts may consider doing so. State and Delhi governments may set 50% office attendance, while the Central government decides separately for its employees. Private offices are advised to consider hybrid work.

The Air Quality Index, or AQI, is a numerical system that summarizes air pollution and places it into categories such as ‘very poor’ and ‘severe.’ The article reports Delhi’s average AQI as 382 on Friday, while several monitoring stations recorded readings in the severe range. AQI helps authorities and the public understand changing pollution conditions.

In general, very poor air can aggravate breathing problems and reduce comfort during outdoor activity. Severe pollution presents a greater health concern, especially for people with respiratory or heart conditions, children and older adults. These health implications are established background knowledge; the article itself does not detail specific symptoms.

High AQI also affects daily life through policy. Stage III restricts construction, older vehicles, industry and generators. Schools may shift to hybrid learning, offices may reduce onsite attendance, and commuters may rely more on Metro services and buses. Early action aims to prevent conditions from worsening.