The Centre invoked stricter anti-pollution measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the wake of the deteriorating air quality.
Delhi woke up to another day of choking smog, as the national capital continues to breathe toxic air with pollution levels showing no signs of relief. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 413 at 6 am, firmly placing Delhi in the ‘severe’ category for yet another day. A thick haze of pollutants has blanketed the city for several days, reducing visibility and posing serious health risks.
As per the CPCB classification, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 to 100 “satisfactory”, 101 to 200 “moderate”, 201 to 300 “poor”, 301 to 400 “very poor”, and 401 to 500 “severe”.Since Diwali, the national capital’s air quality has consistently remained in the ‘poor’ or ‘very poor’ category, occasionally slipping into the ‘severe’ zone.
As GRAP Stage III curbs imposed in Delhi-NCR due to the deterioration of air quality level, the Directorate of Education, Delhi has directed schools up to Class 5 to conduct classes in a hybrid mode. “All Heads of Schools of Government, Government Aided, Unaided RecognizedPrivate Schools of DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes in schools for children up to Class V in a Hybrid Mode i.e., both in physical and online mode (wherever online mode is feasible) with immediate effect until further orders.” DoE, Delhi notification mentioned.
The Centre on Tuesday imposed stricter anti-pollution measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after air quality slipped into the “severe” category in Delhi-NCR. The Commission for Air Quality Management said the city’s average AQI shot up from 362 on Monday to 425 on Tuesday morning because of calm winds, stable atmosphere and adverse winter conditions that trapped pollutants near the surface.
Stage 3 restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction activities along with shutdown of stone crushers and mining operations. Classes up to Class 5 have been advised to shift to hybrid mode. Parents and students can opt for online education wherever available. Under Stage 3, the use of BS III petrol cars and BS IV diesel four-wheelers is also barred in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempted.
As part of the GRAP Stage 3, there is a ban on non-essential construction work.As part of the restrictions, classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. However, parents and students can have the option to choose online education wherever available.
As part of Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. However, people with disabilities are exempt.
Stage 3 curbs also ban non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
https://www.indiatvnews.com/delhi/delhi-continues-to-breath-toxic-air-as-aqi-remains-severe-grap-3-curbs-enforced-schools-in-hybrid-mode-latest-updates-2025-11-12-1017042