Delhi-NCR enters GRAP-II as air quality hits very poor category
The Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked Stage-II restrictions across the National Capital Region after the city's AQI rose to 324.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday implemented Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect. This decision follows a sharp rise in Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI), which reached 324 on November 2, placing the city in the 'Very Poor' category, according to reports by The Pioneer and The Hawk.
The CAQM stated that the deterioration was caused by unfavourable meteorological conditions. Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that air quality is likely to remain in the 'Very Poor' category in the coming days.
Under the Stage-II rules, authorities must increase mechanical and vacuum sweeping of roads and perform daily water sprinkling with dust suppressants before peak traffic hours. The measures also include intensifying inspections at construction and demolition sites and increasing vehicle parking fees to reduce the use of private transport.
The CAQM has requested that state governments stagger the working hours for municipal bodies and public offices in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Resident Welfare Associations have also been told to provide electric heaters to staff to prevent the open burning of biomass and waste.
The implementation of these curbs has led to significant traffic congestion at interstate borders, including the Delhi-Gurugram and Delhi-Noida entries. Enforcement teams have been conducting checks to ensure vehicles meet prescribed emission standards.