GRAP-4 curbs imposed in Delhi-NCR as ‘severe’ air quality worsens

In view of the sharp dip in air quality in the national capital on Saturday (December 13, 2025) evening, the the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) imposed stage 4 of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of emergency measures to control air pollution.

This comes as the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 441 at 6 p.m. on Saturday (December 13), a day after the CAQM implemented curbs under stage 3 of the anti-pollution measures. The deterioration in air quality has been attributed to slow wind speed, unfavourable weather parameters and meteorological conditions.

“Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP – ‘Severe+’ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR,”the CAQM said in a statement

GRAP-IV curbs come into effect in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of extant GRAP already in force across NCR, the CAQM added.

GRAP-IV in Delhi-NCR: What is allowed and what is banned as AQI rises to ‘severe plus’

Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities, entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and mandatory shifting of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.

Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for essential services under Stage 4.

On Saturday (December 13, 2025) morning, the air quality was on the brink of the ‘severe’ category with an AQI of 397.