NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after the city’s air quality slipped into the ‘poor’ category, officials said.Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 208 on Tuesday, showing an upward trend, with forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and IITM indicating that pollution levels are likely to remain in the ‘poor’ category in the coming days.“Accordingly, the CAQM sub-committee on GRAP has decided to invoke all actions under Stage I of the extant GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR,” an official said.GRAP Stage 1: What it meansGRAP is an emergency framework that activates graded restrictions based on AQI levels to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Stage 1 is enforced when AQI is between 201 and 300.The GRAP framework has four stages:
- Stage 1: AQI 201–300 (Poor)
- Stage 2: AQI 301–400 (Very Poor)
- Stage 3: AQI 401–450 (Severe)
- Stage 4: AQI 450–500+ (Severe Plus)
Full list of restrictions under GRAP Stage 1Under Stage 1, authorities enforce preventive and anti-pollution measures, including:
- Ban on use of coal and firewood in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, and open eateries
- Use of diesel generators permitted only for emergency and essential services
- Strict enforcement of NGT and Supreme Court orders on overaged petrol and diesel vehicles
- Periodic mechanised sweeping of roads to reduce dust
- Regular water sprinkling on roads and construction zones
- Scientific disposal and management of dust from construction activities
- Mandatory covering and proper storage of construction and demolition (C&D) waste
- Transport of C&D waste only in covered vehicles
- Recycling of construction waste at designated facilities
- Enforcement of approved fuels in industries, brick kilns, and hot mix plants
- Closure action against industrial units violating fuel norms
- Enforcement of firecracker ban orders issued by courts and tribunals
- Monitoring and control of open garbage burning
- Ensuring compliance with dust mitigation measures at construction sites
- Continuous surveillance by enforcement teams across NCR
Heatwave grips Delhi; mercury crosses 46°CAlongside worsening air quality, Delhi is also facing intense heatwave conditions, with temperatures crossing 46°C at several locations on Tuesday.The IMD has issued an orange alert for heatwave conditions across the capital, warning of continued extreme heat till May 25.Officials said this is Delhi’s first heatwave spell in May in two years, with forecasts suggesting maximum temperatures may remain between 44°C and 46°C over the coming days.IMD also warned of “warm night” conditions, with minimum temperatures hovering around 29°C, offering little relief from the heat.No respite expectedMeteorologists said unlike 2024—when Delhi saw a six-day heatwave streak in late May—this year’s pattern has been mixed due to western disturbances earlier in the season. However, the current spell is expected to be prolonged, dry, and intense.With both pollution control measures under GRAP and extreme heatwave conditions in place, Delhi-NCR is bracing for a challenging week ahead.
