Delhi-NCR activates early winter strategy — intensified dust control, vehicle checks, and anti-burning patrols take center stage as AQI slips into ‘poor’.
(By Sarhind Times Environment Bureau | New Delhi | October 17, 2025)
New Delhi — NCR Prepares for Another Battle with the Air
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has officially swung into action across Delhi-NCR, as the region’s air quality index (AQI) slid into the ‘poor’ category this week.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-1 of the four-tier emergency framework, setting off a 27-point checklist that covers construction, transport, waste management, and enforcement measures.
The move signals the annual pivot from post-monsoon calm to pre-winter concern, when lower wind speeds, farm fires, and urban emissions combine to trap pollutants in the lower atmosphere.
“The objective is prevention before panic,” said a senior CAQM official, emphasizing that Stage-1 is a proactive step to slow deterioration rather than a reactive clampdown.
What Is GRAP and Why It Matters
The Graded Response Action Plan was first introduced in 2017, after the Supreme Court directed a structured system to tackle Delhi-NCR’s recurring smog crises.
Managed by the CAQM, GRAP prescribes graduated actions that intensify as air quality worsens across four stages:
| Stage | AQI Range | Category | Nature of Action |
| Stage 1 | 201–300 | Poor | Preventive & control measures |
| Stage 2 | 301–400 | Very Poor | Restrictive measures begin |
| Stage 3 | 401–450 | Severe | Targeted curbs on high-emission sectors |
| Stage 4 | >450 | Severe+ | Emergency shutdowns & bans |
Under Stage-1, authorities aim to contain dust, smoke, and vehicular emissions before pollution escalates into a health emergency.
Inside Stage-1: The 27-Point Action Plan
Stage-1 of GRAP is a multi-departmental playbook executed by civic bodies, police, pollution boards, and transport authorities across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad.
Here’s what it entails:
1. Intensified Road Dust Control
- Continuous mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on arterial roads and construction corridors.
- Deployment of anti-smog guns at hotspots like Anand Vihar, ITO, and NH-48 in Gurugram.
- Use of treated wastewater for sprinkling to conserve fresh water.
“We have doubled our sweeping fleets and reactivated sprinklers,” said MCD Commissioner Gyanesh Bharti.
2. Construction Site Vigilance
- Mandatory covering of construction materials and use of dust barriers at all project sites.
- Anti-open-burning patrols to detect illegal burning of debris or solid waste.
- Real-time monitoring via CPCB’s dust control app, requiring photo uploads by contractors.
Non-compliance now attracts penalties up to ₹5 lakh and possible suspension of site licenses.
3. Vehicle Pollution Checks
- Intensified Pollution Under Control (PUC) drives at major intersections and fuel stations.
- Random checks by transport and traffic police teams.
- Special focus on diesel commercial vehicles and ageing fleet segments.
“We’re integrating PUC data with FASTag and challan databases for instant enforcement,” confirmed a Delhi Transport Department official.
4. Waste Management and Open Burning Control
- Deployment of enforcement teams to patrol open areas, landfill peripheries, and industrial zones.
- Citizens encouraged to report open burning incidents via the Green Delhi App or municipal helplines.
- Daily waste removal from hotspots to prevent ignition hazards.
5. Urban Greening and Tree Maintenance
- Rejuvenation of roadside greenery and bio-barriers.
- Dust mitigation through micro-irrigation of tree pits.
- Civic agencies tasked with planting and maintaining vegetation buffers.
6. Awareness and Citizen Engagement
- Broadcasting of AQI updates and advisories via radio, metro screens, and RWAs.
- Schools asked to integrate air-quality awareness into morning assemblies.
- Work-from-home advisories under preparation if pollution crosses Stage-2 thresholds.
“People must act as partners, not just victims,” said Ritu Mahajan, environmental activist with Clean Air Collective NCR.
Regional Highlights: City-by-City Focus
Delhi
- Over 100 anti-smog guns deployed; vacuum sweeping expanded to 1,800 km of road network.
- 12 construction sites inspected daily by the DPCC.
Gurugram
- MCG has reactivated eight mobile sprinkling tankers for high-dust corridors near CyberHub and Golf Course Road.
- RWAs have been instructed to curb generator usage and promote shared mobility within complexes.
Noida & Ghaziabad
- Hot-mix plants directed to use cleaner fuels.
- Daily landfill fire audits by the UPPCB.
- Traffic diversions implemented to ease congestion on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway.
Technology in the Air War
The new phase of GRAP integrates technology like never before:
- Real-time AQI dashboards using satellite and ground-sensor data.
- Drone-based surveillance for illegal construction dust or garbage burning.
- IoT-linked sprinklers triggered automatically when PM2.5 levels rise.
“Data-driven enforcement is our strongest ally,” said CAQM Chairperson M.M. Kutty.
Public Health Imperatives
Doctors warn that even ‘poor’ AQI levels (201–300) can exacerbate respiratory issues for children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.
“We see a 20% rise in OPD visits during October–November,” noted Dr. Randeep Guleria, pulmonologist at AIIMS.
Hospitals have been advised to stock N95 masks, increase asthma inhaler availability, and set up pollution clinics for urban localities.
The Economics of Clean Air
Industry associations are backing GRAP with cautious optimism.
While construction and logistics firms fear project delays, economists argue that clean air brings long-term economic dividends.
“Air pollution costs India nearly 1.5% of GDP annually,” said Dr. Sunil Dahiya, energy analyst. “GRAP is an investment in productivity, not a loss.”
Legal Backdrop: CAQM’s Enforcement Powers
CAQM, established under the Environment Protection Act, has the authority to:
- Issue binding orders to state governments.
- Suspend industrial operations during severe stages.
- Coordinate inter-state crop-residue management.
For non-compliance, agencies face fines, project halts, and accountability audits.
Stage-2 to Stage-4: What Comes Next
If AQI continues to deteriorate, stricter stages are automatically triggered:
| Stage | Triggers | Key Measures |
| Stage 2 (Very Poor) | AQI >300 | Ban on diesel generators, restrict construction, enhance CNG bus frequency |
| Stage 3 (Severe) | AQI >400 | Ban on non-essential construction, closure of brick kilns, stop mining |
| Stage 4 (Severe+) | AQI >450 | Halt on truck entry, closure of schools, ban on all construction & industrial activity except essentials |
The entire framework aims to make pollution response predictable, not political.
Citizen Responsibility: What You Can Do
Officials emphasize that clean air starts with behavioral change:
- Avoid open burning of leaves or waste.
- Ensure vehicles are PUC-compliant.
- Use public transport or carpool.
- Report violators via the Green Delhi App.
- Replace DG sets with solar or battery backup options.
“We can’t outsource clean air to the government,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, CSE. “Each household is part of the emission cycle.”
Long-Term Fix: Policy, Planning, and Public Will
Experts agree that GRAP is a crisis-control tool — not a cure.
The real solution lies in:
- Urban redesign with better ventilation corridors.
- Transition to clean energy in mobility and housing.
- Strengthened waste segregation and recycling ecosystems.
“We’ve learned to fight the symptoms. Now we must heal the source,” said Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI.
Global Lessons and Cooperation
Cities like Beijing, Los Angeles, and London once faced similar smog challenges but improved through strict enforcement, public transport upgrades, and green zoning.
India’s model, experts say, must adapt to its unique density and economic diversity — balancing livelihoods with environmental urgency.
Public Sentiment: Hope Mixed with Fatigue
On Delhi’s streets, the reaction is pragmatic.
“Every October it’s the same story,” said Rajesh Mehra, a cab driver from East Delhi. “We stop burning leaves, but factories keep working.”
“I’ve installed air purifiers in my home and school,” said teacher Rina Verma. “We just want consistency in action, not panic when smog peaks.”
CAQM’s Closing Statement
In a press release, CAQM said:
“Implementation of Stage-1 actions is critical to maintaining air quality within manageable levels. Authorities are advised to strictly enforce all 27 measures and remain ready for escalation if AQI crosses thresholds.”
As winter approaches, NCR’s annual air crisis may once again test the balance between urban growth and environmental survival.
But this year, officials insist, the city is better prepared — scientifically, logistically, and psychologically.
Conclusion: Prevention Before Panic
The success of GRAP Stage-1 hinges not on paperwork but participation.
From dust to discipline, Delhi-NCR’s war on pollution remains a marathon, not a sprint.
If the 27-point plan finds real enforcement on ground — from neighborhood lanes to expressways — the region might just reclaim a few breaths of cleaner air before the smog thickens again.
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