Delhi air quality hits very poor category, Stage 2 GRAP invoked
The Commission for Air Quality Management has activated Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan as pollution levels deteriorate in the capital.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas (CAQM) announced Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Monday, November 2, 2026, after Delhi's air quality fell into the 'very poor' category. According to The Hindu, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 324 at 4 p.m. on Monday, up from 261 on Sunday.
Stage 2 mandates NCR state governments to increase vehicle parking fees to discourage private vehicle use. The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) and NCR state governments must also stagger timings for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
To support public transport, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has decided to run 20 additional trips on weekdays. A senior Metro official said this is to encourage people to use public transport rather than private vehicles to help mitigate pollution. The DMRC had been running 20 trips since October 28.
State governments have also been directed to implement measures such as mechanical sweeping of roads or sprinkling water. The CAQM has appealed to residents to minimise personal vehicle use and opt for carpooling or working from home where possible.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the focus of the National Clean Air Programme, stating that while it focuses on PM10, the finer PM2.5 particulate matter is the real killer for public health. The Central government’s Air Quality Early Warning System forecast that air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category for the next three days.