CAQM Tightens GRAP Stages III & IV with Stricter Measures in NCR

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing more stringent measures to tackle worsening air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Under the updated plan, physical classes up to Class V will now be suspended during GRAP Stage III, and up to Class XII during GRAP Stage IV, removing the discretion previously granted to state governments.

Stage III also mandates staggered working hours for public offices and municipal bodies to minimize traffic congestion and related emissions. In Stage IV, a new “mask advisory” urges residents to wear masks outdoors during periods of hazardous air quality, emphasizing personal health alongside institutional measures.

These amendments come as air pollution in Delhi-NCR has hit the ‘Severe+’ category, with Air Quality Index (AQI) levels surpassing 450. Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha likened the Stage IV measures to a “lockdown” but underscored their temporary nature. He stressed the need for systemic solutions to address root causes, such as stubble burning, which significantly contributes to the crisis.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts moderate to dense fog in the coming days, likely to exacerbate pollution by trapping particulate matter closer to the ground.

CAQM’s enhanced GRAP measures reflect a more coordinated approach to combating the pollution emergency, but experts emphasize the importance of long-term, sustainable strategies to ensure lasting improvements in air quality across the region.