The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, (MoEFCC) on January 29, 2025, issued a notification on GRAP invokes Stage-III of the GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.
Delhi's air quality has deteriorated significantly, with the AQI rising from 276 on January 28 to 365 on January 29, 2025, due to unfavorable meteorological conditions. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked Stage-III measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the NCR. These measures include a ban on several dust-generating construction activities, closure of stone crushers and mining operations, and restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
Further, Delhi-registered BS-IV diesel Medium Goods Vehicles (MGVs) and BS-IV diesel Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) from outside Delhi are restricted, except for essential services. Schools up to Class V will operate in a hybrid mode, and government offices will implement staggered timings. Citizens are urged to use public transport, avoid open burning, and adopt cleaner commuting practices. The CAQM has called for strict compliance with these measures to curb further deterioration of air quality.
[Notification No. 2097469]
