GRAP 3 restrictions in Delhi: What is allowed and what is not

Representational Image | Photo Credit: Sushil Kumar Verma The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated into the ‘severe’ category, with the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposing Stage III of the Graded Action Plan or GRAP due to the dangerous levels of air pollution in the national capital.What is GRAP?Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures that kicks in to prevent further deterioration of air quality once it reaches a certain threshold.The first stage, GRAP-1, kicks in when the AQI is between 201 and 300 (Poor); the second stage, GRAP-2, is invoked when the AQI is between 301 and 400 (Very Poor); GRAP-3 kicks in between 401 and 500 (Severe); and GRAP-4 is invoked when the AQI is more than 450 (Severe+).What is not allowed?Here’s what’s not allowed under GRAP Stage III in the National Capital RegionConstruction and demolition activities Strict restrictions are enforced on dust-generating C&D activities across the entire National Capital Region. This includes: Earthwork for excavation and filing, including boring and drilling works. Piling works and all demolition Laying of sewer lines, water lines, drainage, and electric cables using an open trench system. Brick and masonry works Operation of RMC batching plants Major welding and gas-cutting operations. Painting, polishing, and varnishing works Cement, plaster, and other coatings except for minor indoor repairs and maintenance Cutting, grinding, and fixing of tiles, stones, and other floor materials, except for minor indoor repairs and maintenance. Major road construction activities and repairs Transfer, loading, or unloading of dust-generating materials anywhere within or outside project sites Movement of vehicles carrying construction materials and waste on unpaved roads Industrial and mining operations Stone crushers must not be operated across the entire NCR All mining and associated activities in the entire NCR must be closed down Vehicle restrictions NCR governments must restrict the plying of vehicles with BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel (or below) Light Motor Vehicles in Delhi and some districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar with high vehicle density Delhi government must impose strict restrictions on plying of Delhi-registered diesel-operated BS-IV and below Medium Good Vehicles in Delhi Diesel-operated BS-IV and below MGVs and Light Goods Vehicles registered outside Delhi are not permitted to enter Heating The use of coal and wood for heating purposes is prohibited. What is permitted or regulated? Minor welding activities for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing works are permitted Repairing of potholes is permitted All construction and demolition activities other than the restricted dust-generating categories are permitted if they are relatively less polluting or less dust-generating subject to strict dust and waste management rules Construction and demolition activities (under strict compliance) for railways, metro rail services, airport and inter-state bus terminals, national security, defence, projects of national importance, hospitals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, and telecommunication services and sanitation projects are permitted State governments of NCR and the Delhi government must conduct classes for children up to Class V in hybrid mode, offering online and physical classes wherever feasible NCR governments and the Delhi government may take a call on allowing public, municipal, and private offices to work at 50% strength with the rest working from home. Advisory to citizens to help reduce pollution Walk or use cycles for small distances Choose a cleaner transport mode to commute Combine short journeys and reduce trips Postpone gatherings that increase traffic and outdoor exposure Do not use coal and wood for heating purposes Follow hybrid mode for primary schools and work-from-home when instructed Published - November 06, 2026 05:08 pm IST