Delhi’s air quality dropped sharply on Tuesday morning, pushing the city into the ‘severe’ pollution category for the first time this season. In response, authorities have started Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed from 362 on Monday to 425 on Tuesday (9 am). Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that pollution levels were extremely high across most parts of the city.

Out of 39 active monitoring stations, 34 recorded ‘severe’ air quality at 7 am.

  • Bawana reported an AQI of 462

  • Wazirpur recorded 460

  • Mundka and Punjabi Bagh both stood at 452

For context:

  • AQI 51–100 = Satisfactory

  • 101–200 = Moderate

  • 201–300 = Poor

  • 301–400 = Very Poor

  • Above 400 = Severe

‘Severe’ means the air is dangerous and can affect even healthy people, especially children and older adults.

With Stage III now active, several restrictions have come into effect to help control pollution.

  • All non-essential construction and demolition work, including digging, laying sewer lines, cable trenching, piling, and the operation of RMC (Ready-Mix Concrete) plants.

  • BS-III petrol cars and BS-IV diesel cars (four-wheelers) in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Noida.

  • Non-essential diesel-run medium and light commercial vehicles, especially those registered outside Delhi.

  • Schools up to Class 5 will remain closed, and classes will continue in online mode.

  • Private offices are advised to use work-from-home or hybrid schedules to reduce traffic on roads.

What activities are still allowed

Essential public projects such as:

  • Metro rail construction

  • Railway work

  • Airport operations

  • Defence and healthcare-related work

These can continue, but must follow strict dust and waste control rules.