Delhi Chokes: GRAP-1 Restrictions Kick In as AQI Plummets to 'Poor'
Delhi-NCR activates GRAP-1 restrictions as AQI worsens. Learn about the ban on tandoors, bus restrictions, and the upcoming Winter Action Plan.
The national capital is once again grappling with a familiar seasonal nightmare. Authorities have officially activated Stage-1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-1) across Delhi-NCR after the air quality took a sharp dive. On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 233, pushing it firmly into the 'poor' category—a stark jump from the 'moderate' level of 179 seen just a day prior. By 2:00 PM on Wednesday, the situation worsened further as the AQI climbed to 244.
Adding to the atmospheric stagnation, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, falling below the seasonal average. This cooling trend often traps pollutants closer to the ground, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to mandate GRAP-1 enforcement, as air quality is expected to remain in the 'poor' range for several days.
Tandoors Banned and Diesel Generators Restricted
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has confirmed the rollout of immediate measures to curb emissions. One of the most significant hits is to the city's culinary scene; there is now a total ban on the use of coal and wood in hotels, restaurants, and open eateries. This effectively prohibits the use of traditional tandoors, forcing businesses to switch to electricity, LPG, or other clean fuel alternatives.
Furthermore, the use of diesel generators has been restricted, with exceptions made only for essential emergency services. To tackle ground-level pollution, officials have been ordered to intensify street cleaning, dust mitigation efforts, and crack down on the illegal burning of waste in the open.
Tougher Rules for Inter-State Travel
The revised GRAP framework introduces stringent restrictions on vehicles entering the capital. Inter-city and inter-state buses arriving from neighboring states—including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir—are now banned from entering Delhi-NCR unless they are Electric Vehicles (EV), CNG, or BS-VI diesel compliant.
In a move to expand the regulatory net, the Sonipat district has also been included under these strict pollution control restrictions.
The 'Winter Action Plan': What Happens Next?
While GRAP-1 addresses the immediate crisis, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has unveiled a comprehensive 'Winter Action Plan' scheduled to run from November 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. This plan aims to prevent the city from sliding into 'severe' pollution levels through several aggressive measures:
- Strict Fueling Rules: A 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy will be enforced, and restrictions will be placed on non-BS-VI vehicles.
- Tech-Driven Solutions: A pilot project worth 104 crore rupees will be launched to deploy new pollution-fighting technologies across 40 identified hotspots.
- Work-From-Home Mandates: To reduce traffic congestion and emissions, 50% work-from-home arrangements will be mandated for both government and private offices during periods of high pollution.
- Parking Deterrents: Parking fees will be doubled to discourage the use of private vehicles.