GRAP III- Delhi NCR
Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been activated across Delhi-NCR as of November 11, 2025, due to air quality reaching the 'severe' category with AQI readings around 425, prompting strict anti-pollution measures from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Major Restrictions Under GRAP III
- Construction and Demolition Ban: All non-essential construction and demolition activities are banned. This includes earthwork, piling, trenching, welding, painting, plastering, tile or flooring work, Ready Mix Concrete (RMC) plants, and stone crushers or mining operations.​
- Vehicle Restrictions: Use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers is strictly prohibited in Delhi and surrounding NCR districts (Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar). Persons with disabilities are exempt from these curbs.​
- School Closures & Hybrid Classes: Schools up to Class V are closed for in-person lessons, switching to online or hybrid learning to protect young children from toxic air.​
- Industrial Operations: Industries using unapproved fuels must cease operations. Transportation of demolition waste and raw materials like cement, sand, and fly ash is restricted.​
Additional Measures
- Mechanised road sweeping has been intensified to reduce dust.​
- Public transport options are being expanded with differential rates to discourage private vehicle use.​
- Mining and stone crushing activities have been halted until further notice.​​
Context and Duration
- The measures come in response to persistent and severe air quality due to a combination of meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, crop residue burning in neighbouring states, and other local sources.​
- These restrictions will remain until the air quality shows sustained improvement, as decided by CAQM.​
Exemptions and Public Projects
Essential public projects such as railways, metro, airports, defence, sanitation, and healthcare are permitted to continue under strict norms for dust and waste management.​
GRAP Stages Reference
| GRAP Stage | AQI Range | Action Level |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I | 201–300 | Poor |
| Stage II | 301–400 | Very Poor |
| Stage III | 401–450 | Severe |
| Stage IV | >450 | Severe Plus |
These GRAP-III restrictions constitute the most comprehensive anti-pollution action so far this season, and public advisory measures are expected to escalate if pollution persists or escalates beyond AQI 450.
