Explained: What GRAP Stage 3 means for Delhi-NCR right now

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Friday (6 November) as the capital's air edged toward the severe band ahead of Diwali.

What is GRAP Stage 3? GRAP is a four-stage emergency playbook for Delhi-NCR pollution. Stage III is tied to the 'severe' AQI band (roughly 401–450 under the revised framing), but CAQM can bring it in early when forecasts look bad. Friday's order stacked Stage III rules on top of Stages I and II already in force.

Which vehicles are banned? BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel (or older) light motor vehicles — private four-wheelers — cannot ply in Delhi and in Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Vehicles adapted for persons with disabilities for personal use are exempt. Extra curbs apply to older diesel goods vehicles.

What about construction and generators? Non-essential construction and demolition that kicks up dust is banned across the NCR, with carve-outs for essential infrastructure. Diesel generator sets are barred except for emergency and essential services. Stone crushers and dirty hot-mix plants face shutdowns.

Schools and offices: Classes up to Class 5 in Delhi and the listed NCR districts must run in hybrid mode — physical plus online where feasible — not a full closure. States may also move up to half of office staff to work from home. Metro and buses keep running; cleaner BS-VI, CNG and electric vehicles are not covered by the older-vehicle ban.

Delhi's overall AQI was reported around the high-380s to about 391 on Friday morning, still labelled very poor on average even as dozens of stations hit severe. As The Indian Idiot reported earlier on Friday, thirty stations were already in the severe band before the Stage III order.