Delhi Current Air Pollution

Delhi air pollution recent progress news. action and other things to handle.


Delhi’s air quality has improved slightly in the last few days, but the AQI is still in the “very poor” range and health risk remains high, so authorities have kept several restrictions and emergency measures in place while people are advised to take strong personal precautions.

Recent changes have also made the official response plan (GRAP) stricter, so tougher actions now start at lower AQI levels than before.


Latest situation in Delhi


- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has just revoked Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after a few days of gradual AQI improvement, with Delhi’s AQI around 327 (still “very poor”).

- Despite this, GRAP Stage 1 and Stage 2 measures remain fully in force and agencies have been told to intensify enforcement to prevent a slide back to “severe” or “severe+” levels.

- Earlier in November, when AQI shot into the “severe” band above 400 at multiple locations, Delhi briefly enforced stricter curbs like stronger construction bans and work-from-home directions under higher GRAP stages.


Government and court actions


- CAQM and the Supreme Court have approved a revised GRAP schedule for 2025 that advances many restrictions to kick in at lower AQI thresholds, making the plan more preventive than earlier years.

- Measures that were earlier under Stage 3 (like reduced office strength and staggered timings) are now linked to lower bands, and actions like ensuring uninterrupted power to reduce diesel generator use have been moved down to Stage 1 when AQI is 101–200.

- Even after Stage 3 was revoked, construction and demolition sites that were shut for violations remain closed until they get explicit clearance, indicating stricter compliance checks this season.


What is GRAP doing now?


- Under active Stage 1 and Stage 2 actions, authorities focus on controlling road dust, checking industrial emissions, restricting certain polluting vehicles, and cutting down construction and demolition pollution.

- Agencies have been told to maintain “vigilance” across NCR, monitor AQI and violations closely, and escalate measures quickly if the forecast shows risk of moving into “severe” or worse categories again.

- The revised GRAP framework for 2025 is explicitly designed to intervene earlier each time winter pollution starts rising, instead of waiting for extreme AQI values.


How you can protect yourself


- Doctors in Delhi report increases in breathing problems, asthma attacks, eye irritation, and chest congestion during these “very poor” days, and warn that long-term exposure can contribute to chronic lung and heart disease.

- Experts advise:  

  - Limit outdoor activity, especially in early morning and late evening when smog is thickest.  

  - Use a well-fitted N95 or N99 mask when you have to go out.  

  - Keep windows closed during high-pollution hours and use air purifiers or at least fans plus basic filters indoors if possible.

- For sensitive groups (asthma, heart disease, elderly, children), regular medication, vaccinations, avoiding smoking, and monitoring AQI daily before planning outdoor work are strongly recommended.


Practical daily steps for you in Delhi


- Check AQI apps or CPCB/SAFAR websites each morning and avoid heavy exercise or long bike rides on “very poor” or worse days.

- Prefer metro and buses over personal cars to cut emissions, and avoid burning any waste (paper, leaves, plastic) around your home or locality.

- At home, you can: keep indoor plants only as a supplement (they do not replace purifiers), use wet mopping instead of dry dusting, and maintain a healthy diet and hydration to support overall immunity.


If you tell your daily routine (college, coaching timings, travel distance), a more specific plan can be suggested for your situation in Delhi.


Citations:

[1] GRAP-3 restrictions revoked in Delhi; curbs under Stage 1 ... https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/grap3-restrictions-revoked-in-delhi-air-quality-curbs-under-stage-1-2-to-be-intensified-101764161578905.html

[2] 'Delhi's AQI improving': GRAP-3 measures revoked https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/delhis-aqi-improving-grap-measures-under-stage-3-revoked-stage-1-and-2-to-remain-in-force/articleshow/125591542.cms

[3] Delhi air pollution alert 2025: Doctors share who is most at risk and ... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/delhi-air-pollution-alert-2025-doctors-share-who-is-most-at-risk-and-how-to-protect-your-lungs-naturally/articleshow/124752703.cms

[4] Delhi air pollution: GRAP 3 curbs lifted in Delhi NCR ... https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/delhi-air-pollution-grap-3-curbs-lifted-in-delhi-ncr-restrictions-under-stage-12-to-be-intensified-503864-2025-11-26

[5] CAQM revises GRAP schedule, making it more stringent to ... https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2192852

[6] GRAP Orders https://caqm.nic.in/index1.aspx?lsid=4168&lev=2&lid=4171&langid=1

[7] Delhi air emergency: GRAP Stage III enforced; govt orders ... https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/toxic-air-forces-delhi-to-go-half-strength/articleshow/125548118.cms

[8] As Delhi Chokes, AIIMS Doctor Says Masks Won't Help https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-chokes-aiims-doctor-calls-toxic-air-a-public-health-emergency-9661656

[9] No.120017/27/GRAP/2021/CAQM 21st November, 2025 ... https://caqm.nic.in/WriteReadData/LINKS/GRAP%20Order47928aa8-d026-4478-9407-2eba0a328a2d.pdf

[10] Delhi Air Quality: Health Risks & Interventions https://www.ocacademy.in/blogs/delhi-air-quality-health-risks-interventions/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

SGPA/CGPA Calculator for GGSIPU

How to remember the charge of cation and anion

Microsoft's Quantum Breakthrough: Majorana 1 and the Future of Topological Qubits

Dark Mode