Delhi-NCR Chokes Under Hazardous Air: Authorities Enforce GRAP Phase III to Curb Pollution
New Delhi, November 13, 2025 — The National Capital Region (NCR) is once again shrouded in a thick blanket of toxic smog as air quality levels plummeted to the “severe” category on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Several monitoring stations across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad recorded AQI levels exceeding 400, posing a grave risk to public health.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), areas such as Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Dwarka registered some of the worst readings, with PM2.5 concentrations soaring far beyond safe limits. The deteriorating air quality has triggered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to activate Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — a set of emergency measures designed to tackle severe pollution episodes in the region.
Under GRAP Phase III, several stringent restrictions have been imposed. Construction and demolition activities, except those related to essential government projects, have been halted. The use of diesel generator sets has been banned, and industries running on non-clean fuels are facing temporary shutdowns. Authorities have also advised residents to work from home where possible and limit outdoor exposure, especially for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues.
Environmental experts attribute the worsening pollution to a combination of factors — stubble burning in neighboring states, stagnant weather conditions, vehicular emissions, and urban dust. Satellite imagery has shown a spike in farm fire incidents in Punjab and Haryana, adding to the region’s already critical air burden.
Public health officials have warned of rising cases of respiratory infections, eye irritation, and fatigue due to prolonged exposure to polluted air. Hospitals across Delhi have reported a noticeable increase in patients suffering from breathing difficulties and asthma-related complications.
In response, the Delhi government has intensified its anti-pollution drive by deploying more teams to check vehicle emissions and enforcing bans on older diesel vehicles. Water sprinkling on roads and mechanical sweeping have also been increased to reduce dust levels.
Despite recurring measures, environmentalists argue that short-term actions like GRAP are insufficient to address the city’s chronic air quality crisis. They emphasize the need for year-round, coordinated efforts between states to tackle the root causes — particularly agricultural burning, fossil fuel dependency, and unregulated construction.
As the smog thickens, visibility continues to drop, and residents are left struggling to breathe clean air. The coming days will test the effectiveness of emergency measures and the resolve of policymakers to protect millions from the capital’s most persistent environmental challenge.
