Delhi’s AQI rose to 245 on October 21, the first poor reading of the season and the most polluted day after Dussehra in five years, and the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked GRAP Stage I.
The causes follow a pattern. Experts quoted by Outlook India cite falling night temperatures and light winds that trap emissions, slow north-westerly winds that carry farm fire smoke, and festive firecrackers and effigy burning.
Stage I is a light-touch response, focused on dust control, restrictions on diesel generators and tandoor coal, and non-compliant interstate buses, with the Delhi Metro adding trips. Forecasts say the air will stay poor, and the projected share of stubble burning is to rise to 15.9% on Friday.
Whether the city moves to stricter stages will depend on readings and the winds in the coming days.
Agencies across the National Capital Region are to implement, monitor and review the measures to prevent further deterioration, according to Outlook India.
Stage I applies when the AQI is between 201 and 300, and Stage II applies between 301 and 400, according to a report on the plan.
Stage I focuses on dust and waste, with road cleaning, water sprinkling, construction dust control and action against open waste burning, according to NewsDrum and Aryan Age.
Coal use in hotel and restaurant tandoors is restricted, and diesel generators are permitted only in emergencies, according to the reports.
Entry of intercity and interstate buses from several northern states is banned if they do not meet BS-VI norms and do not run on electricity or compressed natural gas, according to Outlook India.
Public transport has been expanded, including extra CNG and electric buses, and the Delhi Metro added 20 weekday trips from Thursday, according to the same report.
Delhi Traffic Police urged commuters to use public transport or carpool and reminded motorists to keep valid Pollution Under Control certificates.
Air pollution in Delhi (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0