The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR on November 6 as a precaution, with forecasts pointing to severe pollution between November 7 and 9.

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• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on November 6 invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan across Delhi-NCR with immediate effect.
• The move was precautionary: Delhi's average AQI was 382 on November 5, in the very poor category, but forecasts indicated severe pollution between November 7 and 9.
• GRAP Stage I applies at AQI 201 to 300, Stage II at 301 to 400, Stage III at 401 to 450 and Stage IV above 450.
• Stage II had been invoked on November 2 after AQI rose from 117 on October 31 to 261 on November 1 and 324 on November 2, and Stage I began on October 21 at an AQI of 245.
• Stage III bans non-essential construction and demolition across Delhi-NCR, with curbs on earthwork, piling, trenching and other dust-generating work.
• Open-air operation of ready-mix concrete plants is prohibited, stone crushers and mining stay suspended, and hot-mix plants not using approved clean fuels must shut.
• BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are barred in Delhi and specified NCR districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Sonipat.
• Schools up to Class 5 can be directed to hold classes online, and offices can be asked to run at 50 per cent attendance, with state governments and Delhi's government deciding on this.
• Authorities have been told to intensify dust control, including mechanical road sweeping and water sprinkling.
• A revised GRAP for 2026 allows stages to be triggered in advance on forecasts, which is why Stage III came before AQI reached its range.
• The restrictions remain subject to further CAQM directions and reviews as Diwali approaches.

Tags: GRAP, CAQM, DelhiAirPollution