GRAP rejig: Stage IV curbs to apply at Stage III amid poor air quality in Delhi

GRAP rejig: Stage IV curbs to apply at Stage III amid poor air quality in Delhi - Here's what it includes

Delhi residents continue to grapple with high pollution levels as thick layer of smog blankets national capital on November 22. As an emergency response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday invoked GRAP Stage IV curbs amid ‘severe' air quality at several monitoring stations across the city.

As per the revised restrictions, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi and NCR State Governments will take decision on allowing public, municipal and private offices to work at 50% strength and the rest to work from home.

The CAQM in its latest notice stated, “CAQM has revised the GRAP schedule on 21.11.2025 to make it more stringent thus preventing further deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR.”

Besides this, Central Government may take an appropriate decision on permitting work from home for employees in central government offices, as per Stage 4 curbs of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) which are effective alongside Stage 3.

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded to be 364 at 12:00 noon on Saturday, as per Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app. Since the AQI is in ‘very poor' range, Stage 3 restrictions will remain intact but certain measures of GRAP Stage 4 have been invoked due to chronic situation of high pollution level across Delhi-NCR.

While the Stage 3 requirements pertain to change in timings, Stage 4 pollution curb measures permit offices to function at 50% capacity while others work remotely. The latest revision comes in response to the capital's winter pollution crisis after the Supreme Court on November 19 allowed major revamp to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the Capital Region as part of short-term measures proposed by the CAQM.

The proposed changes pertain to stricter measures applying to earlier stages, with some stage 4 advisories of 400 and above AQI now applying at stage 3 when AQI is between 301-400.

“We are of the view that any proactive action in reducing air pollution would always be welcome. We expect the CAQM, while taking such action, to consult all stakeholders,” HT quoted a bench of Chief Justice of India Bhushan R Gavai and justice K Vinod Chandran as saying.

Delhi-NCR schools shifted to hybrid mode for primary classes after implementation of GRAP Stage 3 on November 11. From a ban on construction activities to curbs on 4-wheeler vehicles plying on roads, several measures were enacted to address the concerning issue. These restrictions on BS-III and lower vehicles were implemented for Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida and Greater Noida.

Source: LiveMint
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