Delhi AQI Turns 'Severe': GRAP Stage III Reimposed Across NCR

New Delhi: In a major development, Delhi's ai quality slipped into the 'severe' on December 13 morning. Following which the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi, NCR and adjoining areas.

What the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said?

“Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM GRAP Sub-Committee today has taken the call to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage III of the extant GRAP — ‘Severe’ air quality (Delhi AQI ranging between 401–450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I and II of the extant GRAP already in force in the NCR,” as per the CAQM.

As per the reports of the PTI, the Commission for Air Quality Management on Saturday invoked stricter GRAP Stage-III restrictions, including shifting schools to hybrid mode up to Class 5 and restrictions on construction and demolition work, in Delhi-NCR after pollution levels rose sharply amid unfavourable meteorological conditions.

Notably, the national capital’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 349 but jumped to 401 by 10 am on Saturday, "owing to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions and lack of dispersal of pollutants", the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) told PTI.

As per the reports, considering the current trend of air quality, the CAQM GRAP Sub-Committee took this initiative to invoke all actions under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) 'Severe' Air Quality with immediate effect in the NCR.

As per reports of ANI, ''The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invokes Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as the Air Quality plunges to the 'severe' category. GNCTD to not permit BS-IV diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers), registered outside Delhi, to enter Delhi, except those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.''

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invokes Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as the Air Quality plunges to the 'severe' category.

GNCTD to not permit BS-IV diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers), registered outside Delhi, to enter… pic.twitter.com/E4cQ0mCQqC

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025