Delhi-NCR pollution update: Anti-pollution curbs under GRAP-3 enforced in Delhi as air quality worsens, AQI crosses 400, highest recorded…

Delhi-NCR has been battling persistent air pollution for over a month. With the worsening air quality in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management on Saturday invoked stricter GRAP Stage-III restrictions, including shifting schools to hybrid mode up to Class 5 and restrictions on construction and demolition work, in Delhi-NCR. According to the data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality witnessed a sharp deterioration on Saturday afternoon, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 405 at noon. In the morning, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded was 393 at around 8 am, placing it in the ‘Very Poor’ category, as per data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invokes Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR as the Air Quality plunges to the ‘severe’ category.

GNCTD to not permit BS-IV diesel operated LCVs (goods carriers), registered outside Delhi, to enter… pic.twitter.com/E4cQ0mCQqC

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

Various parts of the national capital remained enveloped in a dense layer of toxic smog, severely affecting visibility and causing discomfort to residents. As a result, several places in the capital were classified as ‘severe’.

Under GRAP-3, non-essential construction, demolition, stone crushing, and mining activities are prohibited. A ban has also been placed on older diesel goods vehicles in Delhi. Schools will work in a hybrid mode for children in Classes 1-5, while offices may function at 50% of their capacity in the Delhi-NCR area, as reported by NDTV.

#WATCH | Delhi: A thick layer of toxic smog blankets the national capital as the air quality continues to deteriorate.

(Visuals from the India(BHARAT) Gate) pic.twitter.com/2ECDikPf1k

— ANI (@ANI) December 13, 2025

Which places in Delhi received a severe decline in air quality?

According to CPCB data, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 436 and was enveloped in a thick blanket of toxic smog. Other locations, such as Ashok Vihar (435), ITO (425), DTU (426), and Nehru Nagar (427), showed a severe decline in air quality, recording a ‘severe’ category. However, air quality varied across the city, with several areas recording an AQI in the ‘Very Poor’ category. According to the CPCB, Najafgarh recorded an AQI of 312, while Shadipur registered 375. Okhla Phase 2 and Dwarka Sector 8 recorded AQI of 400 and 394, respectively, indicating slightly better air quality than other areas but still reflecting a decline.

According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.