Delhi Imposes Stage 3 Pollution Controls As Air Quality Drops To Severe Level

The air quality in Delhi has dropped into the severe category, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management to enforce Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan. This set of emergency measures is designed to stop air pollution from getting worse when pollution levels cross dangerous limits.

AQI Stages

The Graded Response Action Plan works in four stages based on the Air Quality Index. Stage one starts when the index is between 201 and 300, while stage two kicks in when it reaches 301 to 400. Stage three begins when the index crosses into the 401 to 500 range, and stage four is invoked for readings above 450.

Strict Rules

Under the newly imposed stage three rules, strict restrictions apply to all dust-generating construction and demolition activities across the entire National Capital Region.

Context

These emergency restrictions are part of a yearly effort by authorities to control hazardous winter smog in northern India. Such action plans help limit extra pollution from dust and local sources when weather patterns trap harmful particles close to the ground.