The GRAP-II measures include mechanical and vacuum sweeping of roads, water sprinkling to control dust, increased parking fees to discourage the use of personal vehicles, and enhanced Metro services. Authorities have also been directed to increase the frequency of CNG and electric buses.
The first stage of GRAP was implemented on October 21, when Delhi’s AQI stood at 244. GRAP-I measures include promoting public transport, checking Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, and restricting diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years. The restrictions also prohibit the use of coal and firewood in roadside eateries and commercial tandoors, while limiting the use of diesel generators.
Delhi generally begins experiencing smog conditions in early October. However, this year, the onset was delayed due to late monsoon rains and strong surface winds, which kept air quality relatively clear during the initial period.
Despite the delayed onset, pollution levels could worsen this year due to the El Nino effect, which disrupts weather patterns across the world and is particularly known to increase pollution.
Manoj Kumar, an analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, said the mean AQI increased from 280 in the winter of 2022-23 to 304 in 2023-24. It subsequently declined to 285 the following year before rising again to 295 in 2025-26.
Meanwhile, the annual stubble-burning season in neighbouring Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh remains a major concern for Delhi-NCR’s air quality. As farmers begin burning crop residue, smoke spreads across the region, adding to the pollution burden.
If air quality deteriorates further, GRAP Stages III and IV could bring increasingly stringent restrictions. These include a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers, along with odd-even road rationing.
This year, late rainfall has delayed harvesting in Punjab and Haryana, pushing the peak stubble-burning season towards late October and November. The timing has raised concerns as winter winds are at their calmest during this period, leaving smoke with limited opportunities to disperse.
With Delhi’s AQI already in the Very Poor category and the stubble-burning season approaching its peak, the implementation of GRAP-II marks another escalation in the region’s measures to contain worsening air pollution.
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