As winter sets in, Delhi and much of North India once again face the familiar challenge of deteriorating air quality. The seasonal dip in temperature, coupled with local and regional emission sources, leads to a sharp rise in particulate matter levels across the region.
The latest State of Global Air 2025 report highlights the scale of the issue, warning that polluted air is quietly undermining public health. A Lancet study estimated that in 2019, air pollution led to a 1.36% loss in India’s GDP, primarily due to the economic impact of premature deaths and pollution-related illnesses. The impact of consistently poor air quality manifests in the form of rising healthcare costs, poor long-term well-being, lost productivity, and significant economic burden.
To address this recurring concern, the Government’s Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has evolved into a key framework for managing air pollution during the winter months. It turns air-quality alerts into structured interventions — from restricting dust and vehicular emissions to tightening norms for industrial operations — aimed at preventing further deterioration while encouraging cleaner and more sustainable urban practices. As the region enters another smog-heavy season, GRAP offers both a shield and a signal — immediate protection today, and a framework for transformation tomorrow.
Delhi’s air quality remains in the “very unhealthy” zone, with PM2.5 concentrations hovering around 171 µg/m³ and an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 246 — several times higher than the WHO’s 24-hour safe limit of 15 µg/m³.
This data paints a stark picture of how deeply entrenched the nation’s air pollution crisis has become. Episodic emissions and stagnant wind patterns — can push an already stressed atmosphere into crisis mode.
GRAP’s interventions span dust suppression, construction and industrial controls, and vehicular restrictions, offering immediate relief while setting the stage for longer-term policy reform. In a welcome move, on-ground enforcement has become more data-driven and transparent. Cleaning operations are now GPS-tracked and monitored centrally for greater accountability, with all major roads scheduled for systematic vacuum sweeping to reduce dust resuspension. To deter garbage and biomass burning, 443 teams patrol the city round the clock, issuing on-the-spot penalties and prosecuting violators — reflecting a stronger enforcement regime and the administration’s intent to sustain air-quality gains.
As part of Delhi’s 25-Point Winter Action Plan, oversight has also been reinforced through the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), supported by over 40 Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS). This growing network is enabling more data-led decision-making and consistent enforcement across the National Capital Region — marking a gradual but measurable shift from reactive control to proactive management.
GRAP was designed as an emergency brake — reactive but effective. And in that respect, it has delivered. In 2024, stage-wise enforcement at critical junctures helped stabilise sharp AQI spikes during peak winter months, with early data indicating measurable reductions in PM10 and PM2.5 levels during active phases.
One crucial aspect of Stage-II enforcement is limiting the use of DG gensets across all types of industries and activities (other than for stated emergency purposes). This is because these gensets, especially older, poorly-maintained ones, can emit sizeable amounts of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), carbon monoxide (CO), black carbon (BC), and carbon dioxide (CO2). Accordingly, more than 259 diesel generators have been sealed during GRAP activations, reflecting stricter compliance enforcement.
Currently, stringent measures include over 260 construction sites inspected under GRAP. Around 35 were ordered to shut down, and 204 are facing official action for non-compliance. It has led to greater awareness and accountability among leaders across industries as well as citizens.
To curb vehicular emissions and promote cleaner mobility, GRAP Stage II calls for a significant boost in public transport capacity — including the deployment of additional CNG and electric buses. Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) have also been directed to provide electric heaters for security guards, gardeners, and sanitation staff to discourage the open burning of biomass and waste — a common winter practice that worsens local air quality.
While GRAP has proven effective in managing short-term spikes, India’s broader air-quality goals require sustained, structural action. Progress under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) has been modest — only about a 15% reduction in PM10 levels since 2017–18, well below the 40% reduction target or the National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 60 µg/m³.
The path forward lies in cleaner energy transitions and tighter emissions control across sectors. Replacing outdated diesel gensets with CPCB IV+ compliant systems can substantially lower emissions, while Retrofit Emission Control Devices (RECDs) offer an immediate retrofit solution, capturing up to 70% of particulate matter. The captured soot can even be repurposed for paints, dyes, and plastics, contributing to a circular economy.
In areas with reliable gas supply, dual-fuel retrofits can further cut particulate emissions from both industrial and residential backup systems. Supported by CAQM’s enforcement framework and the Delhi-NCR Winter Action Plan, these efforts can collectively shrink the emissions footprint of urban power use.
Ultimately, GRAP’s evolution — from an emergency response tool to a data-driven enforcement framework — reflects a crucial shift in India’s clean-air journey: from reactive control to proactive transformation.
