New Delhi: Authorities on Wednesday enforced Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi as deteriorating air quality prompted measures to curb pollution across the national capital.
The first stage of GRAP is activated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) falls in the ‘poor’ category, ranging from 201 to 300. Delhi’s AQI was reported at 230 on Wednesday, indicating poor air quality.
Under Stage I, authorities will intensify dust-control measures, including mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling. Construction and demolition sites will face stricter monitoring to ensure compliance with pollution-control norms.
The measures also include preventing open waste burning, ensuring regular collection and disposal of municipal solid waste and construction debris, regulating traffic to reduce emissions and penalising visibly polluting vehicles.
The Graded Response Action Plan, implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), outlines progressively stricter measures depending on pollution levels across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Stage I forms the initial level of restrictions, with additional curbs introduced if air quality worsens to the ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ categories.
