Revised GRAP Measures Activated as Delhi’s AQI Stays ‘Very Poor’

Delhi continued to grapple with hazardous air quality as authorities implemented stricter pollution-control measures in response to persistent ‘very poor’ conditions. With the city’s Air Quality Index hovering around 360, the Commission for Air Quality Management revised the Graded Response Action Plan for the entire NCR, advancing several higher-stage measures to address the deteriorating situation.

Higher-Stage Curbs Now Applicable Earlier

As part of the revised strategy, actions earlier reserved for the ‘Severe’ category under GRAP Stage IV have now been shifted to Stage III. This empowers NCR State Governments and the Delhi administration to consider operating public, private, and municipal offices at 50 per cent capacity, with the remainder working from home. A similar decision for central government offices may be taken separately. The restructuring aims to deploy stronger interventions sooner, based on pollution trends and forecasts.

Shift of Measures Across GRAP Stages

The changes also place Stage II actions under Stage I. Officials must now ensure uninterrupted power supply to avoid the use of diesel generators, streamline traffic flow through enhanced enforcement at intersections, and issue regular public advisories through media platforms. Public transport services will be augmented through increased deployment of CNG and electric buses, additional metro frequency, and differential fare strategies to encourage off-peak travel.

Revised GRAP II Focuses on Mobility Management

Under the reclassified GRAP II, government bodies across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar will stagger office timings to ease peak-hour congestion. Other NCR districts may adopt similar modifications. Central authorities may also consider staggered schedules for their offices. These measures target vehicular emissions, a major contributor to winter air pollution in the region.

Exam Oriented Facts

• GRAP is triggered based on Delhi’s average AQI levels and pollution forecasts.
• Stage IV measures are now shifted to Stage III under the revised framework.
• Delhi recorded an AQI of around 360, categorised as ‘very poor’.
• Public transport augmentation is mandated under the advanced GRAP I measures.

Pollution Levels and Public Response

Despite marginal improvement from the previous day’s index, thick smog continued to envelop several parts of Delhi and NCR. While central areas such as ITO recorded AQI levels near 370, pockets of Noida touched the ‘severe’ category, with values above 430. Residents across the region expressed growing concern over daily discomfort, health impacts, and mobility challenges as vehicular density and stagnant winter conditions compounded pollution levels.