Delhi Air Pollution: GRAP 3 Imposed as AQI Crosses 425, Complete List of What’s Allowed and What’s Not

Delhi has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 as the air quality dropped to ‘severe’ with an increase in the level of AQI beyond 425. The GRAP 3 measures are aimed at taking immediate steps to reduce the main sources of air pollution.

Also, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that schools up to class 5 will switch to hybrid mode, offering both online and physical classes.

What’s Not Allowed Under GRAP 3

• A total prohibition on all construction and demolition work, including non-essential earthwork, piling, trenching, and open-air concrete operations, besides heavy-duty construction equipment. 

• No operations such as stone crushing, mining, or the running of hot-mix plants that are not using clean fuels are permitted. 

• Total prohibition on the usage of petrol and diesel (BS-3 and BS-4) cars (four-wheelers) in Delhi and the NCR districts. 

• Only vehicles for persons with disabilities are exempt from this rule. A ban on non-essential diesel medium-goods vehicles older than the BS-IV standard is in place. 

• The total shutdown of diesel generator sets, except for those providing essential services, is enforced. 

• Primary schools are advised to switch to online or hybrid learning to minimize the exposure of children.

What’s Allowed and Key Exemptions

• Strictly controlled public construction for metro, railways, healthcare, airports, and sanitation is allowed during the event of a dust storm. 

• Emergency and essential services, covering hospital and security operations, fully function. 

• Offices are encouraged to adopt remote working or a hybrid mode to decrease traffic-related emissions. 

The new limitations are meant to deal with the extremely polluted situation in Delhi-NCR and to protect people’s health during the cold months.

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