Restrictions under Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have kicked in across Delhi, as the city’s air quality remained stuck in the ‘poor’ category for the third straight day. 

GRAP, a set of anti-pollution measures specific to the winter season, has been activated to tackle pollution with a focus on controlling dust at construction sites, implementing proper waste management, and increasing road cleaning efforts.

Under this first stage, officials are conducting strict checks on polluting vehicles, improving traffic management, and imposing tighter emission controls on industries, power plants, and brick kilns. The use of coal or firewood in restaurants has also been banned, along with the burning of waste in the open and the use of diesel generators.

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 207 today, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), remaining in the ‘poor’ zone following the Dussehra festival. An AQI between 201 and 300 falls under the ‘poor’ category, while anything above that escalates to ‘very poor’ and ‘severe.’

On the weather front, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 17.4°C, slightly cooler than usual, while humidity stood at 64% early in the morning, as per the India Meteorological Department. Cloudy skies are expected throughout the day, with the maximum temperature likely to touch 35°C.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.