New Delhi, October 19: Amid the festive fervour gripping the National Capital Region (NCR) and the whole country, and amid the "Poor" air quality in Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has imposed Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect.

Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has remained in the 'poor' category (between 201-300 AQI), for the past few days amid Diwali fervour across the region. As of 4 PM on Sunday, Delhi recorded an AQI of 296 according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi AQI Today, October 19: National Capital Wakes Up to ‘Poor’ Air Quality Again Ahead of Diwali 2025 (Watch Videos).

As part of GRAP Stage 2, CAQM has directed to carry out mechanical/vacuum sweeping and water sprinkling of the identified roads on a daily basis. Moreover, the Commission has called for increased parking fees, an increase in frequency of bus and metro services and strictly implement regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors to conserve power while also ensuring uninterrupted supply of electricity. Diwali 2025: Firecracker Ban Partially Lifted in Delhi-NCR; Supreme Court Allows Bursting of Green Firecrackers From October 18-21 With Time Limits.

"Ensure water sprinkling along with use of dust suppressants (at least every alternate day, during non-peak hours) on roads to arrest road dust especially at hotspots, heavy traffic corridors, vulnerable areas and proper disposal of dust collected in designated sites/landfills," CAQM mentioned in an official statement.

The order further mentioned enhancing vehicle parking fees to discourage private transport, synchornise traffic movements and deploy adequate personnel at intersections/traffic, alert in newspapers / TV / radio to advise people about air pollution levels and Do's and Don'ts for minimising polluting activities. Stage 2 also including intensifying inspections strict enforcement of dust control measures at Construction and Demolition sites.

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