GRAP II curbs in place as air quality worsens in Delhi-NCR ahead of Diwali

The AQI in Delhi and NCR has been on an upward trend over the past week, with the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi recorded as 296 — in the poor category

By: Express News Service

New Delhi | October 20, 2025 05:45 AM IST

2 min read

A thick blanket of haze envelops the area around Akshardham Temple in New Delhi on Sunday (Express/Abhinav Saha)

With Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) inching closer to the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced that the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will come into force with immediate effect.

The AQI in Delhi and NCR has been on an upward trend over the past week, with the 24-hour average AQI in Delhi recorded as 296 — in the poor category. AQI above 300 is considered very poor and that above 400 is severe.

By 9 pm, the AQI in the city had gone up to 306. Of the 38 stations whose readings were considered on Sunday, 23 had AQI in the ‘very poor’ range at 9 pm. At Anand Vihar, the AQI was in the severe category.

Announcing GRAP II restrictions, CAQM said, “Delhi recorded a daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 296 i.e. ‘Poor’ category, as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Sunday. Delhi’s hourly average AQI rose to 300 at 6 pm and further rose to 302 at 7 pm i.e. ‘Very Poor’ category… Therefore, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP has taken the call to invoke a 12-point action plan as per Stage-II of GRAP in the entire NCR.”

“The Sub-Committee also urges citizens to adhere to the specific steps listed in Citizen Charter of Stage-II along with Stage-I of GRAP and assist in effective implementation of the GRAP measures aimed towards sustaining and improving air quality in the region. People should use public transport and minimise use of personal vehicles; Use technology, take less congested routes even if slightly longer; Regularly replace air filters at recommended intervals in your automobiles; Avoid dust generating construction activities during months of October to January,” a statement from CAQM said.

As part of the restrictions, civic agencies have been asked to hike parking charges to discourage the use of personal vehicles and restrictions have been placed on the use of portable diesel generators, except in some emergency situations such as in hospitals, airports and bus terminals, projects related to national security, among others.

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