New Delhi

The Commission for Air Quality Management on Tuesday ordered the implementation of Stage I measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after the national capital’s air quality deteriorated into the “poor” category.

According to an official order, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 208 on Tuesday, placing it in the “poor” category.

The decision was taken by the Sub-Committee on GRAP after reviewing air quality data and forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department and IITM.

The committee observed that the AQI has shown an increasing trend and is likely to remain in the “poor” category over the coming days. In response, all measures prescribed under Stage I of the GRAP framework have been enforced with immediate effect across the National Capital Region.

Under the Stage I guidelines, agencies have been directed to strictly implement pollution-control measures and closely monitor the situation to prevent any further deterioration in air quality. Citizens have also been urged to follow the GRAP Stage I citizen charter.

Earlier on Friday, the CAQM had announced a phased rollout mandating registration of only electric three-wheelers in the L5 category across NCR, while also tightening norms for vehicles operating without valid Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCCs).

Under the phased implementation plan, the National Capital Territory of Delhi will adopt the rule from January 1, 2027. High vehicle-density NCR districts including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar will follow from January 1, 2028, while the remaining NCR districts will implement it from January 1, 2029.

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The commission said the directions were issued under powers granted by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021, with the aim of reducing vehicular pollution in Delhi-NCR.