New Delhi, Dec 13 – As the capital’s air quality slipped into a sharp downturn, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed Stage‑III limits under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi‑NCR, formally classifying the area as having “Severe” pollution.
The move followed an AQI reading that climbed beyond 400 on Friday morning, hitting 401 by 10 a.m. A review by the GRAP Sub‑Committee confirmed that the trend had been steadily worsening for three days: from 259 on December 10, to 307 on December 11, then 349 on December 12, before the “Severe” threshold was breached.
CAQM attributed the spike to adverse weather—low wind speeds, a stable atmosphere, and poor dispersion conditions—all of which trapped pollutants over the region. The recent shift to easterly winds further amplified PM₂.₅ levels, the main winter‑time fine‑particle pollutant, with nearly all Delhi stations reporting high concentrations.
Under Stage‑III GRAP, all “Severe” actions go into force right away, on top of those already in place for Stages I and II. This includes tighter dust‑control checks at construction sites, stronger enforcement against polluting operations, and heightened monitoring by civic and law‑enforcement bodies throughout the NCR.
Importantly, CAQM clarified that BS‑IV diesel‑powered light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will be denied entry, except for vehicles carrying essential goods or providing essential services. This restriction overrides any earlier relaxations, as GRAP measures are considered emergency interventions.
Meanwhile, BS‑III and older diesel commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi remain completely barred from the capital, even if they are involved in essential services, in accordance with earlier directives that dated back to November 1, 2025.
The commission has instructed all implementing agencies across Delhi‑NCR to enforce these limits rigorously and urges residents to follow the GRAP citizen charter. The Sub‑Committee will keep monitoring air quality closely and adjust restrictions based on forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and IITM.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
