Air Quality in NCR Stays Hazardous, Enforcement, Policy Action Takes Centre Stage
New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), bringing several pollution-control measures into effect at lower levels of air quality. The revisions, finalised on 21 November 2025, shift interventions previously designated for higher Air Quality Index (AQI) stages to earlier thresholds and require immediate implementation by all responsible agencies.
Under the revised GRAP, measures previously applicable at Stage II (“Very Poor” air quality) are now implemented at Stage I (“Poor”), covering AQI levels from 201 to 300. These include ensuring uninterrupted power supply to reduce the use of diesel generator sets, synchronizing traffic movements with adequate personnel at intersections and congestion points, issuing advisories through newspapers, television, and radio to inform citizens about air quality and measures to reduce pollution, and augmenting public transport services with additional Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric buses as well as increased metro frequency. Differential fare structures have been introduced to encourage off-peak travel.
Stage III measures, which were previously applied only when air quality reached “Severe” levels, have now been moved down to Stage II, covering an Air Quality Index (AQI) range of 301 to 400, classified as “Very Poor.” Under this revised framework, authorities in Delhi and adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) districts—including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddh Nagar—are now required to implement staggered working hours for public offices and municipal bodies. This means that employees will begin and end their workdays at different times to reduce congestion in public transport and on roads, thereby lowering traffic-related emissions during peak hours. The Central Government is also reviewing whether similar arrangements should be introduced for its offices in the region.
Additionally, measures that were originally designated for Stage IV, corresponding to “Severe” air quality (AQI 401–450), have been moved down to Stage III. Under these provisions, offices may operate at 50 per cent capacity, while the remaining employees are instructed to work from home. This step aims to reduce both commuter traffic and overall exposure to polluted air among workers. The Commission emphasised that these revisions were made after careful evaluation of scientific data on air pollution, meteorological patterns, and health impacts, as well as expert recommendations, consultations with relevant stakeholders, and field experience from previous years. The adjustments reflect an effort to act preemptively, ensuring that measures are in place before conditions reach the most hazardous levels, while minimising disruption to essential services and operations.
Enforcement has been a parallel priority. On 21 November, CAQM conducted a large-scale inspection operation in Sonipat, Haryana. Twenty Flying Squad teams, supported by district administration officials and police, carried out 101 inspections across industrial and construction and demolition (C&D) sites. Of these, 29 units, including five C&D sites, were found violating statutory directions. In non-conforming industrial areas, 55 inspections detected 21 violations, while in conforming industrial areas, 46 inspections recorded eight violations.
The violations observed included the use of unapproved fuels, malfunctioning air pollution control devices (APCDs) in approximately 20 units, operations without a valid Consent to Operate (CTO) from the State Pollution Control Board, and breaches of prescribed C&D norms. CAQM officials stated that such inspections are necessary to reduce emissions at source, ensure compliance, and protect communities residing near polluting units. The inspection was part of the Commission’s broader enforcement drive, conducted in coordination with state governments, district authorities, and relevant agencies, particularly during the GRAP period.
Earlier, on 19 November, CAQM wrote to Delhi and NCR State Governments recommending the postponement of physical sports competitions scheduled for November and December to safeguard students’ health. The advisory, addressed to the Department of School Education and Literacy, the Ministry of Education, and state authorities, emphasised that rescheduling should not disadvantage students. Authorities were urged to provide alternative opportunities for participation without compromising health or academic progress.
Air quality readings over the past several days have remained in the “Very Poor” to “Severe” range, with PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations consistently above safe thresholds. Meteorological factors, including low wind speeds and temperature inversions, have contributed to the persistence of smog, highlighting the relevance of the revised GRAP measures.
The Commission has directed all implementing agencies to take note of the modifications in the revised GRAP schedule and enforce the measures immediately. CAQM officials reiterated that strict enforcement, timely implementation of pollution control measures, and cooperation from the industrial, construction, and transport sectors are essential to prevent further deterioration of air quality. Authorities continue to monitor conditions closely and are prepared to escalate interventions if necessary, with the protection of public health as the primary objective.
– global bihari bureau
