Air Quality lndex (AQI) of Delhi slipped to ‘poor’ on Wednesday. It is expected to remain the same in the upcoming days as per the predictions of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed stage 1 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for the Delhi-NCR region. The move came after air quality slipped into the 'poor' category on Wednesday, recording a hike from 179 (moderate) on October 20 to 244 (poor) at 2 pm on October 21.
"The Air Quality lndex (AQI) of Delhi which was observed 179 (Moderate category)on October 20, has exhibited a sharp rise with AQI of 244 at 2 pm on October 21 (Poor category)," said the CAQM in a statement.
Know restrictions under GRAP Stage-I in Delhi-NCR
Vehicles and PUC certificates
Under Stage-I of GRAP, authorities have been directed to strictly enforce Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms and take action against visibly polluting vehicles, including impounding them or charging penalties. Existing restrictions on overage diesel and petrol vehicles must also be enforced. Non-destined truck traffic passing through Delhi is to be diverted via the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways. Inter-city and interstate buses operating in Delhi-NCR must comply with the prescribed vehicle standards: only electric, CNG or BS-VI diesel buses are permitted as per directions.
Quick answers to key questions
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QUESTIONS
GRAP Stage-I is the first level of pollution-control measures and applies when the AQI reaches the ‘poor’ range of 201–300. CAQM invoked it across Delhi-NCR after Delhi’s AQI rose to 244.
Authorities must enforce valid PUC requirements and take action against visibly polluting vehicles; existing restrictions on overage petrol and diesel vehicles also apply. Inter-city and interstate buses must be electric, CNG or BS-VI diesel, while non-destined trucks passing through Delhi are to be diverted via the peripheral expressways.
Construction is not banned across the board, but sites must follow dust-control measures. Projects on plots of 500 square metres or more that are not registered on the relevant monitoring portal or do not meet prescribed requirements cannot proceed.
No. The ban on coal- and firewood-fuelled tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open eateries must be enforced. They must use electricity, gas or other permitted clean-fuel appliances.
Residents are advised to keep PUC certificates valid, avoid idling, switch off engines at red lights, and use public transport or carpool where possible. Pollution-related violations can be reported through the 311, Green Delhi or SAMEER app.
Construction and demolition
Construction sites must follow dust-control measures, including covering construction materials and waste during storage and transportation. Water sprinklers and using anti-smog guns must be used when and where required. Construction and demolition projects with plots of 500 square metres or more that are not registered on the relevant monitoring portal,
or do not meet the prescribed requirements, won't be allowed to proceed with their activities. Regular collection and proper disposal of construction waste is also to be regulated.
Hotels and restaurants
The ban on using coal and firewood in tandoors at hotels, restaurants and open eateries must be strictly enforced. These establishments must use electricity, gas or other permitted clean-fuel appliances to curb the pollution levels.
More restrictions
Other restrictions include that open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste is prohibited. Diesel generator sets cannot be used as a regular source of power and must comply with the emission-control requirements.
Authorities have also been directed to enforce pollution-control standards at industries, brick kilns and hot-mix plants as well.
Dos and don'ts for Delhiites
All citizens should keep vehicle engines properly tuned. One must also maintain tyre pressure and ensure their PUC certificates are in place and valid.
Residents are also uged to switch off vehicle engines at red lights, avoid idling, use public transport or carpool whenever possible. It is also advised to avoid driving end-of-life or visibly polluting vehicles.
Citizens should segregate waste and dispose of garbage at designated collection points while avoiding open burning and firecrackers.
How to report violations
One can also report pollution-related violations through the 311, Green Delhi or SAMEER app under the ongoing restrictions.
About the Author
Sneha Biswas
Sneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolving consumption patterns of entertainment news across formats.<br><br> Prior to her current role, Sneha has worked across multiple content and editorial functions within digital newsrooms, building expertise in content planning, editing, and real-time coverage. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of entertainment, internet culture, and global pop trends.<br><br> Working for the National city team, Biswas closely follows global entertainment movements while maintaining a strong pulse on what is happening in India.