Authorities in the Delhi-National Capital Region enforced Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect on Tuesday morning after the city’s overall Air Quality Index surged to 425 by 9 am, marking the first entry into the ‘severe’ category this pollution season. The sharp deterioration from Monday’s AQI of 362 has triggered a comprehensive set of emergency measures aimed at curbing emissions and protecting public health across Delhi and adjoining areas.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board revealed an alarming scenario, with 34 out of 39 active monitoring stations recording ‘severe’ air quality by 7 am. Several locations crossed the 450-mark, with Bawana registering the highest at 462, closely followed by Wazirpur at 460, while both Mundka and Punjabi Bagh reported 452. The widespread prevalence of hazardous particulate matter has left residents vulnerable, particularly children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.

Under the stringent GRAP-III protocol, all non-essential construction and demolition activities stand completely prohibited, including earthwork, piling, boring, and operation of ready-mix concrete batching plants. Road movement has been severely restricted with an immediate ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel private four-wheelers across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida. Additionally, non-essential diesel-powered medium goods vehicles and older light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi are barred from entering the region unless engaged in essential services.

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To reduce vehicular emissions further, private offices have been strongly advised to adopt hybrid or work-from-home arrangements, while educational institutions have been directed to suspend physical classes for students up to Class 5 and shift to online mode. These measures are expected to significantly reduce daily commuter traffic and construction-related dust in the coming days.

While critical infrastructure projects involving railways, metro rail, airports, national security, healthcare, and sanitation remain exempt from the construction ban, strict adherence to dust mitigation and waste management guidelines is mandatory. The restrictions will remain in force until a sustained improvement in air quality is observed, underscoring the gravity of the ongoing pollution emergency in the national capital.

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