On April 16, the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) invoked Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan, or GRAP, with immediate effect, after Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 226, firmly in the 'Poor' category as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The incessant heat was the trigger for this. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 40.3°C on April 15, 3.5 degrees above normal, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have forecast that AQI will remain in the 'Poor' range for at least the next two days.
Hot, still air traps pollutants close to ground level, creating conditions more commonly seen in October than April.
So what exactly is GRAP Stage-I?
GRAP is India's four-stage emergency response framework for managing air pollution in Delhi-NCR, activated based on AQI levels. Stage-I kicks in when AQI touches 201–300 ('Poor'). Stage-II follows at 301–400 ('Very Poor'). Stage-III covers 401–450 ('Severe'), and Stage-IV, the most drastic, is reserved for AQI above 450 ('Severe+').
The framework was developed under directions of the Supreme Court of India. GRAP Stage-I requires 31 specific actions. Authorities must mechanically sweep and water-sprinkle roads, deploy anti-smog guns at construction sites, enforce Pollution Under Control (PUC) norms on vehicles, ban open burning of waste and biomass, and crack down on visibly polluting vehicles, right up to impounding them on the spot. Restaurants and hotels are reminded that tandoors must not use coal or firewood but only gas or electricity. DISCOMs have been directed to minimise power cuts so residents don't lean on diesel generators.
The CAQM's Sub-Committee, which includes representation from pollution control boards of NCR states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, as well as Delhi's own DPCC, will review conditions periodically and decide whether to escalate further.
Delhi had reached Stage-IV as recently as January 17, 2026, before conditions improved enough to roll restrictions back.
GRAP Stage-I actions in NCR
The following 31 actions under GRAP Stage-I have been implemented across the entire NCR since April 16 evening:
- Ensure proper implementation of Directions/ Rules/ guidelines on dust mitigation measures in Construction and Demolition (C&D) activities and sound environmental management of C&D waste.
- Ensure strict compliance with Direction Nos. 11-18 dated 11.06.2021 and do not permit C&D activities in respect of such projects with plot size equal to or more than 500 sqm, which are not registered on the ‘web portal’ of the respective state / GNCTD and/or which do not fulfil the other requirements as per the above-noted statutory directions, for remote monitoring of dust mitigation measures.
- Ensure regular lifting of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste, and Hazardous wastes from dedicated dump sites and ensure that no waste is dumped illegally in open land areas.
- Carry out periodic mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling on roads and ensure scientific disposal of the dust collected in designated sites/ landfills.
- Ensure that C&D materials & waste are properly stored/ contained, duly covered in the premises. Ensure transportation of C&D materials and C&D waste only through covered vehicles.
- Strictly enforce the Statutory directions and yardsticks for the use of anti-smog guns at C&D sites, in proportion to the total built-up area of the project under construction.
- Intensify use of anti-smog guns, water sprinkling and dust suppression measures in road construction/widening/repair projects and maintenance activities.
- Stringently enforce the prohibition on open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste. Impose maximum EC upon violations in accordance with Hon’ble NGT’s orders dated 04.12.2014 and 28.04.2015 in OA 21/2014.
- Strict vigil to ensure that there are no burning incidents in the landfill sites/ dumpsites.
- Deploy traffic police for smooth traffic flow at all identified corridors with heavy traffic and congestion-prone intersections.
- Strict vigilance and enforcement of PUC norms for vehicles.
- No tolerance for visible emissions: Stop visibly polluting vehicles by impounding and/or levying maximum penalty.
- Strictly enforce the Hon’ble Supreme Court order on diversion of non-destined truck traffic for Delhi, through Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways.
- Strictly enforce NGT / Hon’ble SC’s order on overaged diesel/petrol vehicles and as per extant statutes.
- Ensure strict penal/ legal action against non-compliant and illegal industrial units.
- Stringently enforce all pollution control regulations in Industries, brick kilns and hot mix plants, etc.: strict compliance with the prescribed standards of emissions.
- Ensure that only approved fuels are used by the industries in NCR, including in brick kilns and hot mix plants and enforce closure in case of violations, if any.
- Stringently enforce emission norms in thermal power plants, and strict actions be taken against non-compliance.
- Strictly enforce Hon’ble Courts / Tribunal orders regarding ban on firecrackers.
- Ensure regular lifting and proper disposal of industrial waste from industrial and non-development areas.
- DISCOMS to minimise power supply interruptions in NCR.
- Ensure that diesel generator sets are not used as regular source of power supply.
- Strictly enforce the extant ban on coal/firewood as fuel in Tandoors in Hotels, Restaurants and open eateries.
- Ensure hotels, restaurants and open eateries use only electricity / gas-based / clean fuel - based appliances.
- Information dissemination, including through social media and bulk SMS, etc. Mobile Apps to be used to inform people about the pollution levels, contact details of the control room, enable them to report polluting activities/sources to the concerned authorities and inform them about actions that would be taken by the Government.
- Ensure quick actions for redressal of complaints on 311 APP, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App and other such social media platforms to curb polluting activities.
- Encourage offices to start a unified commute for employees to reduce traffic on the roads.
- Ensure uninterrupted power supply to discourage use of alternate power-generating sets/ equipment (DG sets, etc.).
- Synchronise traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections/traffic congestion points for smooth flow of traffic.
- Alert in newspapers / TV/radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do’s and Don’ts for minimising polluting activities.
- Augment public transport services through CNG/ electric buses and metro services by inducting additional fleet and increasing the frequency of service. Introduce differential rates to encourage off-peak travel.