# Delhi-NCR air worsens before Diwali, GRAP-III imposed

2026-11-06T13:06:45+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday, 6 November, imposed Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as a precautionary measure as air quality deteriorated rapidly ahead of Diwali. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 382, in the ‘very poor’ category, and was approaching the 400 mark that would push it into the ‘severe’ category. Under GRAP-III, construction and demolition activities are strictly banned across NCR, including Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurugram. Prohibited works include excavation, drilling, piling, brickwork, road construction, painting, polishing and large-scale welding. BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are also banned from plying, though essential services and exempted projects are allowed relief. Restrictions from Stages I and II remain in force.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The CAQM invoked Stage III before Diwali, signalling that pollution control measures are being triggered pre-emptively rather than after the festival spike. An AQI of 382 leaves little headroom before the ‘severe’ threshold is breached, which would force Stage IV curbs including a ban on truck entry and further vehicle restrictions. The exemptions for metro, railways and hospital projects mean construction on essential infrastructure continues even as the broader building sector is shut. The next milestone to watch is the AQI crossing 400, which would automatically trigger harsher Stage IV measures.

## Coverage

- tv9hindi.com <https://www.tv9hindi.com/india/diwali-air-pollution-caqm-decided-invoke-grap-stage-iii-delhi-ncr-precautionary-measure-3956448.html>
  Straight factual reporting on CAQM decision and restrictions

This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.

Tags: CAQM, Delhi NCR, GRAP
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