Delhi-NCR Breathes Toxic Air on Diwali: GRAP Stage II Measures Take Effect Amid 'Very Poor' Pollution

As Delhi ushered in Diwali, the festival's brightness was dimmed by thick layers of smog. On Monday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) at India Gate reached 347, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The spike came just hours after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Sunday to address the rapid deterioration in air quality.

AQI Levels Continue to Rise Across Delhi-NCR

At 8:00 am on Monday, Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 411, Punjabi Bagh stood at 383, Bawana at 368, and Siri Fort at 362. JLN Stadium recorded 355, Alipur 319, while Ayanagar and North Campus both showed readings of 305. Even the IGI Airport, usually cleaner due to its open surroundings, registered 297, just below the "very poor" category.

These alarming figures followed a steep rise in pollution levels over the weekend. On Sunday, Delhi's average AQI reached 296 by 4:00 pm and climbed to 302 by 7:00 pm. Out of 38 monitoring stations across the city, 12 reported "very poor" air quality. Anand Vihar recorded 430, while Wazirpur (364), Vivek Vihar (351), Dwarka (335), and RK Puram (323) also logged hazardous levels.

Locations such as Siri Fort, Dilshad Garden, Jahangirpuri, Nehru Nagar, Ashok Vihar, and Bawana exceeded the 300 mark, reflecting a citywide rise in pollution. Meanwhile, Noida and Ghaziabad were also under the "very poor" category, while Faridabad managed to remain in the "moderate" zone, though experts warn it may worsen soon.

Emergency Meeting Leads to Additional Restrictions

The CAQM's GRAP Sub-Committee called an urgent meeting to evaluate inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Anticipating a further rise in emissions due to Diwali celebrations, the committee unanimously decided to impose extra restrictions to curb the worsening air quality.

Officials stressed that the measures under Stage II would remain in force until a consistent improvement is observed. These include controlling dust emissions, banning construction activities on public projects, ensuring mechanical road sweeping, and intensifying pollution checks on vehicles. Authorities also urged citizens to minimize outdoor exposure and avoid firecracker use.

What Is GRAP and Why It's Implemented

Delhi's pollution problem is an annual crisis that worsens with the onset of winter. The drop in temperatures and wind speed traps pollutants from multiple sources, including vehicles, construction activities, industrial emissions, and stubble burning in neighbouring states. This mix of emissions leads to the dense smog that regularly blankets Delhi-NCR.

To counter this, authorities introduced the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a structured emergency mechanism that activates when pollution levels breach certain thresholds. Each stage corresponds to a specific AQI range, triggering targeted actions designed to prevent further deterioration and safeguard public health from long-term exposure to toxic air.