Air pollution has intensified across the national capital region, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage-II measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect across the entire Delhi-NCR region.
The decision was taken on 2 November 2026 after Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 324, placing it in the 'Very Poor' category. The latest deterioration marks a sharp rise in pollution levels over three consecutive days.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
Issue/Event: Delhi-NCR air quality deteriorated to the 'Very Poor' category, prompting GRAP Stage-II activation.
Location: India.
Authority/Organisation: Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), along with Delhi and NCR authorities.
Action Taken: Stage-II GRAP measures invoked across the entire NCR with immediate effect on 2 November 2026.
Impact: Authorities must intensify dust suppression, construction-site inspections and public transport measures to limit further pollution.
According to the reported CAQM assessment, Delhi's AQI stood at 117 on 31 October, increased to 261 on 1 November and climbed further to 324 on 2 November. Unfavourable meteorological conditions were identified as a major factor behind the worsening air quality.
The CAQM's GRAP sub-committee reviewed the situation alongside forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). The forecasts indicated that Delhi's air quality could remain in the 'Very Poor' category over the coming days.
Under Stage-II, authorities have been directed to intensify mechanical and vacuum-based road cleaning, regular water sprinkling and the use of dust suppressants, particularly along heavy-traffic corridors and congestion points.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
Air pollution is a major public-interest concern because prolonged exposure to polluted air can affect respiratory and cardiovascular health, particularly among children, older people and individuals with existing health vulnerabilities. The activation of GRAP Stage-II signals that pollution levels have crossed the threshold requiring stronger coordinated action across Delhi-NCR. The measures are intended to address several pollution sources, including road dust, construction activity, waste burning and vehicle emissions. Increased public transport services may also help reduce dependence on private vehicles. The effectiveness of these measures will depend on implementation by government agencies, compliance by businesses and residents, and improvements in weather conditions.
The measures also require targeted pollution-control action at identified hotspots and stricter inspections at construction and demolition sites to check compliance with dust-control requirements.
Other steps include increasing parking fees to discourage private vehicle use, regulating diesel generator sets under the applicable framework and ensuring that waste and biomass are not openly burned.
Resident Welfare Associations have been directed to provide electric heaters to security, sanitation and other support staff to prevent open burning during winter.
The CAQM has also advised the Delhi Government and NCR state governments to consider staggered working hours for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar. Other NCR states may also consider similar arrangements.
Public transport services are also being strengthened. Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced 20 additional train trips on weekdays from 3 November, taking the total number of additional weekday trips across its network to 40.
The authorities have urged residents to use public transport, reduce unnecessary private vehicle journeys, avoid open waste burning and cooperate with pollution-control measures.
The Stage-II decision does not mean that all construction activity or every category of vehicle has automatically been banned. Specific restrictions depend on the applicable GRAP schedule and separate government orders.
With winter weather conditions potentially slowing the dispersal of pollutants, the CAQM is expected to continue monitoring the situation and review the measures as air quality changes.
