Construction curbs, vehicle restrictions and hybrid schooling return as most monitoring stations breach the 400 AQI mark

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday reimposed Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) across the National Capital Region after air quality deteriorated sharply into the “severe” category.

The decision came as pollution levels surged across Delhi, with twenty seven of the forty air quality monitoring stations recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 400, data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed. The city’s average AQI stood at 409 at 12.05 p.m., according to the Sameer application, which provides hourly updates.

Under Stage 3 of Grap, non-essential construction activities have been halted, while stone crushers and mining operations have been ordered to shut. These measures come in addition to restrictions already in force under Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the plan.

Primary schools up to Class 5 have also been directed to shift to hybrid mode, allowing parents and students to choose between online and offline classes wherever facilities exist. In a further tightening of curbs, the use of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles has been restricted across Delhi and the wider NCR.

Bharat Stage emission norms are standards notified by the Union government to regulate vehicular pollution. Higher BS norms prescribe stricter limits on permissible emissions.

Pollution Spike
The reimposition of Stage 3 follows a steep rise in pollution over the past few days. The overall AQI had stood at 349 on Friday, after rising from 307 on Thursday and 259 on Wednesday. Delhi has remained in the “poor” or worse categories since mid-October.

An AQI between 401 and 450 is classified as “severe”, while readings above 450 fall under “severe plus”. Pollution at these levels poses serious health risks even for healthy individuals.

A dense haze enveloped large parts of the national capital on Saturday morning, prompting Delhi airport to issue an advisory stating that low visibility procedures were in operation. While flight operations remained normal, passengers were advised to check with airlines for updated information.

Health and Policy Debate
The renewed curbs come against the backdrop of an ongoing debate in Parliament on air quality standards and health impacts. On Thursday, the Union government told Parliament that global air quality guidelines, including those issued by the World Health Organization, were not binding and served only as guidance documents.

Earlier this week, the government also said there was no conclusive data in India to establish a direct correlation between air pollution and deaths or diseases. Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav said air pollution was one of several triggering factors for respiratory ailments.

However, a report by medical journal The Lancet estimated that more than 1.7 million deaths in India in 2022 were attributable to exposure to atmospheric pollution, a rise of 38 per cent since 2010. The findings were part of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change 2025, released on 29 October and prepared by experts from academic institutions and United Nations agencies.

As pollution levels remain entrenched in the severe zone, authorities are expected to review conditions on a daily basis, with further tightening possible if air quality fails to improve.