Frequently Asked Questions About GRAP and NCR Air Quality

GRAP — the Graded Response Action Plan — is a set of emergency pollution-control measures that are activated in stages based on the severity of air quality in the Delhi-NCR airshed. Originally notified by the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) in January 2017, GRAP was revised and strengthened in 2024 by the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM).

The CAQM is a statutory body established by an Act of Parliament in 2021 — the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. It superseded the EPCA and was given overriding powers over state pollution control boards (DPCC, HSPCB, UPPCB) on all air quality matters in NCR. The CAQM is chaired by a full-time chairperson of the rank of Secretary to the Government of India and includes representatives from the central ministries of environment, agriculture, transport, and petroleum, as well as chief secretaries of NCR states.

The CAQM's sub-committee on GRAP meets regularly during the pollution season (typically October–February) and is empowered to invoke, escalate, or revoke GRAP stages based on real-time AQI data and weather forecasting models. Its directions are legally binding on all government agencies, municipal corporations, and enforcement authorities across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan within the NCR boundary.

GRAP stages are triggered based on Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Under the revised 2024 framework, a critical improvement was introduced: stages are now invoked proactively based on three-day air quality forecasts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rather than waiting for AQI to breach thresholds.

The specific thresholds are: Stage I (Poor) is invoked when AQI is forecast to reach or exceed 201; Stage II (Very Poor) at AQI 301+; Stage III (Severe) at AQI 401+; and Stage IV (Severe+) at AQI 450+ sustained for 48 hours or more. The CAQM sub-committee convenes an emergency meeting, reviews forecasts, and issues formal directions — typically taking effect within 24 hours of the order.

De-escalation follows a separate set of rules introduced in 2024. A stage is revoked only when AQI consistently drops below the triggering threshold for at least 72 hours, and weather forecasts indicate no imminent deterioration. This "hysteresis" approach prevents the chaotic back-and-forth that occurred in earlier years when stages were revoked prematurely only to be re-imposed within days.

Vehicle restrictions escalate with each GRAP stage and represent some of the most impactful — and controversial — measures in the framework. Under Stage III (Severe), all BS-III petrol and BS-III diesel four-wheeled vehicles are banned from plying on roads anywhere in the NCR. This applies to both personal and commercial vehicles. Additionally, registered diesel-operated medium and heavy goods vehicles (other than those carrying essential commodities) that are not BS-VI compliant are barred from entering Delhi.

Under Stage IV (Severe+), the restrictions tighten further: all BS-IV diesel four-wheelers (cars, SUVs, and light commercial vehicles) are also banned across the NCR, in addition to the BS-III bans already in effect. This affects a very large segment of the vehicle population, as BS-IV diesel vehicles were sold in India until March 2020. Only BS-VI petrol and diesel vehicles, CNG vehicles, and electric vehicles are permitted to operate freely during Stage IV.

Exemptions exist for emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire trucks), vehicles belonging to persons with disabilities, vehicles used by the judiciary and constitutional authorities, and trucks carrying essential commodities such as food, fuel, medical supplies, and perishable goods. Enforcement is carried out jointly by traffic police and transport department teams using automated number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras and manual checks at border entry points.

Under the revised 2024 GRAP framework, Stage IV grants the CAQM authority to direct state governments to close physical classes for primary schools (up to Class V) across the NCR. However, this is not automatic — it requires a specific order from the CAQM sub-committee, which considers factors beyond AQI alone, including the expected duration of the episode and weather forecasts for the coming days.

For classes VI and above, the decision is typically left to individual state governments and district administrations. In practice, Delhi's Directorate of Education has frequently ordered all government and private schools to shift to online mode during sustained Stage IV episodes. Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have generally followed suit for NCR districts (Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, Ghaziabad), though the timing of their orders has sometimes lagged behind Delhi's.

Regarding offices, GRAP Stage IV empowers the CAQM to advise both public and private employers to allow 50% work-from-home arrangements. However, this remains advisory rather than mandatory for the private sector. Government offices in Delhi have sometimes been directed to implement staggered working hours (arriving at 10 AM instead of 9 AM, leaving at 5:30 PM instead of 5 PM) to reduce rush-hour traffic and associated vehicular emissions during Stage III and IV.

The CAQM Act of 2021 provides for significant penalties for non-compliance with GRAP directions. Individuals who violate GRAP orders — for instance, by driving a banned BS-III vehicle during Stage III — can face fines of up to ₹10,000 for a first offence, with higher penalties for repeat violations. Under the Motor Vehicles Act, traffic police can also impound vehicles found in violation and impose a separate challans of ₹10,000–₹20,000 for driving a vehicle that does not meet emission norms.

For industrial and construction violations, the penalties are substantially heavier. Industries found operating banned processes (such as coal-fired boilers or unapproved diesel generators) during GRAP Stages III and IV can face fines of up to ₹1 crore (₹10 million) under the CAQM Act, along with potential imprisonment of up to five years for the responsible officers. Construction projects found violating dust-control or site-closure orders can be penalized up to ₹50 lakh and face suspension of their environmental clearance.

Municipal corporations are also held accountable. The CAQM has repeatedly issued show-cause notices to municipal commissioners whose jurisdictions fail to control road dust, garbage burning, or open construction during active GRAP stages. Enforcement teams conduct daily inspections and file environmental compensation cases before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for significant violations.

Gurgaon (Gurugram) falls within the NCR boundary and is therefore covered by GRAP directives issued by the CAQM, which apply uniformly across the entire NCR airshed. When the CAQM sub-committee invokes a GRAP stage, its order explicitly names "the entire NCR" as the area of applicability. There is no separate GRAP level for Gurgaon — it follows the same stage as Delhi, Noida, Faridabad, and Ghaziabad.

In practice, enforcement coordination between Delhi and Haryana (which administers Gurgaon) has improved substantially since the CAQM assumed control. The CAQM directly coordinates with the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), the Gurgaon district administration, and the Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG). Joint enforcement teams conduct inspections at industrial areas like Manesar and Udyog Vihar, and monitor construction sites along the Dwarka Expressway and Southern Peripheral Road for dust control compliance.

However, some operational differences persist. Gurgaon has its own set of AQI monitoring stations (maintained by HSPCB and CPCB), and localized AQI readings can differ from Delhi's average. For example, Sector 51 Gurgaon may read AQI 320 while Anand Vihar in East Delhi reads AQI 450. Despite these local variations, the GRAP stage is determined by Delhi's city-wide average AQI, meaning Gurgaon residents may sometimes experience Stage III restrictions even when their local air quality is at Stage II levels.

Yes, absolutely. GRAP applies to the entire National Capital Region as defined by the NCR Planning Board Act, 1985. This includes all districts of Delhi as well as the NCR districts of Haryana (Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Panipat, Rewari, Karnal, Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Jind, and Palwal), Uttar Pradesh (Gautam Buddh Nagar/Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Baghpat, and Muzaffarnagar), and Rajasthan (Alwar and Bharatpur).

When GRAP Stage III is invoked, BS-III vehicles are banned not just in Delhi but also on the roads of Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad. The same applies to construction bans, DG set restrictions, and industrial activity limitations. The UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) is responsible for enforcement in Noida and Ghaziabad, while the HSPCB handles Faridabad.

A common source of confusion is border enforcement. Vehicles travelling from non-NCR areas (say, Lucknow to Delhi via the Yamuna Expressway) pass through Noida, which is within NCR. At automated toll-booth checkpoints and border entry points, authorities check emission standards and can turn away banned vehicles. Residents of satellite cities should treat GRAP orders exactly as Delhi residents do — the legal obligations and potential penalties are identical.

Yes, during Stage III, BS-IV diesel vehicles are still permitted. Stage III bans are limited to BS-III petrol and BS-III diesel four-wheelers. If your diesel car was manufactured after April 2017 (when BS-IV norms became mandatory nationwide), it is a BS-IV vehicle and is not affected by Stage III restrictions.

However, this changes if Stage IV is invoked. Under Stage IV (Severe+), all BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are also banned from plying in the NCR. This is the most significant escalation in the GRAP framework and affects millions of relatively modern diesel cars and SUVs. If you own a BS-IV diesel vehicle, you should have a contingency plan — such as switching to metro or carpool — for the possibility of Stage IV enforcement.

To check your vehicle's emission standard, refer to your Registration Certificate (RC), which lists the emission norms under the "Fuel Norms" field. You can also verify this on the Parivahan portal (parivahan.gov.in) by entering your vehicle registration number. Vehicles registered in Delhi after April 2020 are BS-VI compliant and are exempt from all GRAP vehicle bans.

Open burning of waste — including dry leaves, municipal solid waste, plastics, and crop residue — is prohibited year-round in Delhi and during GRAP activation across the NCR. If you witness illegal burning, you have several reporting options that can trigger swift enforcement action.

The most effective channel is the SAMEER app, developed by CPCB, which allows citizens to file geo-tagged complaints with photographs. Complaints filed through SAMEER are routed directly to the concerned municipal corporation or pollution control board and are tracked for resolution. Alternatively, you can call the CPCB helpline at 1800-180-2738 or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) helpline. For waste burning in Gurgaon, Noida, or Faridabad, contact the respective district administration's control room, which operates 24/7 during GRAP activation.

The Green Delhi app (for Delhi specifically) is another useful platform that allows photo-based complaints and provides status updates. Many municipal corporations have also started accepting complaints via WhatsApp. The CAQM has directed all sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) in NCR to act on burning complaints within 2 hours during active GRAP stages, with penalties of ₹5,000–₹25,000 for individuals caught burning waste in the open.

While GRAP is a year-round regulatory framework in theory, its active enforcement season closely mirrors the NCR's pollution season, which is driven by a combination of crop residue burning, Diwali fireworks, cold weather inversions, and reduced wind speeds. Historically, GRAP Stage I (Poor) is first invoked in mid-to-late October, coinciding with the beginning of paddy stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

The most intense phase — with Stages III and IV frequently invoked — runs from approximately November 1 through December 15. This six-week window is when temperature inversions trap pollutants close to the ground, farm fires are at their peak, and calm wind conditions allow smog to accumulate over the Indo-Gangetic plain. AQI values during this period routinely exceed 400 and occasionally breach 500.

By mid-January, a combination of increased wind speeds and the end of the stubble burning season typically brings AQI below 300, leading to de-escalation to Stage I or complete revocation. GRAP stages are rarely invoked after mid-February, although isolated episodes can occur during spring dust storms in March–April. The CAQM's sub-committee typically publishes a pre-season preparedness advisory in September each year, directing agencies to complete pre-winter preparations (anti-smog guns, road sweepers, construction site inspections) well before the onset of the pollution season.