Delhi is grappling with thick smog, pushing the city's air quality index (AQI) into the 'Severe' category. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage III of the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP), effective from 8 am tomorrow. This stage is triggered when AQI exceeds 401, with several stringent measures aimed at mitigating the pollution crisis.

Under GRAP Stage III, non-essential construction and demolition work will be banned, and vehicle restrictions will be enforced, including a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and nearby NCR regions like Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. Diesel generator sets will only be allowed for emergency purposes. Further measures include mechanized road sweeping, increased public transport services, and dust control via water sprinkling.

The article explains the four stages of GRAP, with Stage IV potentially involving even harsher restrictions, including truck bans and school closures, if pollution worsens. Authorities also issued health advisories urging residents, particularly the elderly and those with respiratory issues, to stay indoors. The article emphasizes the severity of the air quality situation in Delhi and the urgent need for these measures to combat the ongoing pollution crisis.