Delhi enters RED ZONE: Air quality crosses 400, why GRAP 3 not yet enforced?
The air quality of Delhi-NCR has entered in the 'red zone' as the AQI has breached 400. Despite continuous deteriorating air quality, Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 has not been enforced.
Delhi Air Pollution: Delhiites and neighbouring NCR continued to remain at ‘severe’ levels. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas of the national capital has crossed 400, pushing the city into the ‘red zone.’ With continuously deteriorating air quality, Delhi has ranked among the most polluted cities in the world. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital’s -hour average AQI stood at 392 (6 am). On Saturday, the overall AQI of the capital city stood at 361, making it one of the most polluted cities in the country. On Friday, it recorded the AQI of 322, highest in India(BHARAT) at that time.
Have areas in Delhi breached 400 AQI?
As per air monitoring stations, pollution levels were mostly high in several areas. The AQI reached 412 at Anand Vihar, 430 at Burari Crossing, 420 at ITO, 420 at Mundka, 347 at Najafgarh, 405 at Okhla, 415 at Punjabi Bagh, 421 at RK Puram, 436 at Wazirpur, and 419 at Narela.
#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals around Akshardham as toxic smog lingers in the air this morning. AQI in the area is in the ‘Severe’ category at 412, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/P3gTchqoe7
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2025
Have Areas In NCR Also Breached 400 AQI?
AQI in Noida stood at 392, nearing the ‘severe’ category, Greater Noida recorded 365. Ghaziabad entered the red zone as the AQI reported 387. The AQI in Gurugram stood at 254, still remained in the ‘poor’ category.
Why Graded Response Action Plan-3 Not Yet Enforced?
The authorities have not yet enforced the GRAP stage 3 as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) stated that the national capital’s air quality remained comparatively better this November as compared to the same period last year.
According to officials, the pollution levels of the Delhi-NCR have not yet breached the levels that triggers Stage 3 restrictions. They stated that the coordinated efforts of all the responsible departments
They credited the current improvement in air quality to collaborative efforts of various departments such as enhanced dust management, road maintenance, anti-smog initiatives, and stricter inspections of vehicles and industrial emissions.
“Out of the last seven days, six have recorded better air quality than the corresponding days last year. This has been possible because of timely and coordinated action taken across departments,” PTI quoted an official saying.”Last year, GRAP Stage 3 was imposed on November 13. This time, with support from all departments and the residents of Delhi, we hope to prevent reaching that stage,” an official said.
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