The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as air quality deteriorated, with forecasts warning that pollution could enter the “severe” category in the coming days. The decision brings stricter curbs across the National Capital Region, where Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 382 at 4 pm on Thursday, placing it in the “very poor” category.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has warned that pollution levels could worsen further and has forecast “severe” air quality between November 7 and 9. Its six-day outlook indicated that pollution levels could fluctuate between “very poor” and “severe.”
Under GRAP Stage III, construction and demolition activities that generate dust or contribute significantly to air pollution will face stringent restrictions across Delhi-NCR. The measures also require the Delhi government and other NCR state governments to consider allowing public, municipal and private offices to operate with 50 per cent of their workforce attending physically, while the remaining employees work from home.
GRAP is an emergency framework designed to introduce progressively stricter pollution-control measures depending on the severity of air quality in the region. Stage I applies when the AQI ranges between 201 and 300, while Stage II is triggered when it reaches 301-400. Stage III covers the 401-450 range, and Stage IV is implemented when the AQI crosses 450.
The Stage III action follows forecasts that Delhi-NCR’s air quality may slide into the “severe” category even though the capital’s AQI was still in the “very poor” band on Thursday afternoon. The CAQM’s move signals a pre-emptive escalation of pollution controls as authorities prepare for further deterioration.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/science/delhi-air-pollution-grap-3-enforced-severe-aqi-forecast-for-november-7-9/70253/
Category: Politics,Science,Air pollution,AQI forecast,CAQM,Delhi NCR,GRAP-3
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Publish Date: 2026-11-06 19:40:00
