Due to the continuously increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR, strict pollution control measures have been implemented under Phase-4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Saturday (December 13, 2025). After the implementation of Grap-4, Delhi Government has instructed all government and private schools that except Class 10, education till Class 11 should be conducted through hybrid mode i.e. both offline and online.
Along with this, 50 percent employees in government and private offices have also been instructed to work from home. Earlier, a similar order was issued after GRAP-3 was implemented on November 24, which was later withdrawn when the measures were lifted.
AQI increased to 441 by 6 pm
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Central Anti-Pollution Panel imposed restrictions under GRAP-3 in Delhi and surrounding areas on Saturday (December 13, 2025) afternoon and in the evening, in view of the further worsening of air quality, it was increased to GRAP-4. The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 431 at 4 pm on Saturday (December 13, 2025) and it increased to 441 at 6 pm.
GRAP- These changes will happen after implementation
- Under the rule of Grape-4, there will be a ban on entry of non-essential trucks in Delhi. However, trucks carrying essential goods or services or running on clean fuels like LNG, CNG, electric or BS-VI diesel have been exempted.
- There will be a ban on medium and heavy duty diesel vehicles (BS-IV and older) registered in Delhi, except those vehicles engaged in essential services.
- Light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi, which do not meet EV, CNG or BS-VI diesel standards, will also not be allowed to enter the capital except for essential services.
- All construction and demolition work will remain completely closed. It also includes public projects like highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines and pipelines.
- Keeping in mind the safety of sensitive sections, the state governments of Delhi and NCR may convert offline classes into online mode for class 6 to 9 and class 11 students. At the same time, so that there is no problem in preparing for board exams, classes 10 and 12 are exempted from this.
- Government, municipal corporation and private offices have been advised to operate with at least 50 percent of the employees working from home. In addition, staggered timing can also be implemented to reduce traffic during peak hours.
Apart from these measures, under the alternative emergency measures, state governments also have the right to consider further measures, which may include closing colleges and other educational institutions, suspending non-emergency business activities or implementing the odd-even vehicle scheme, while the central government can also decide on the work from home policy for its employees.
Regarding Delhi pollution CAQM what did he say,
CAQM said in a statement, “In view of the current trends of air quality across the Delhi region and in an effort to prevent its further deterioration, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP has decided to implement all the measures prescribed under Phase IV of the existing GRAP with immediate effect in the entire NCR. This will be in addition to the measures already implemented under Phase I, II and III of GRAP.”
In what situations are they applicable? G.R.A.P various stages of,
It is noteworthy that Grapple-1 restrictions are applied when the AQI is between 201 to 300 (poor), Grapple-2 stage is applied when it is between 301 to 400 (very poor), Grapple-3 is applied when the AQI is between 401 to 450 (severe) and Grapple-4 is applied when the AQI is above 450. (extremely severe).
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