{"id":131889,"date":"2026-11-03T16:47:07","date_gmt":"2026-11-03T11:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=131889"},"modified":"2026-11-03T16:47:07","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T11:17:07","slug":"grap-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/grap-4\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAP Stage 4 in Delhi-NCR, AQI Limits, Rules and Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>What is GRAP 4?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>GRAP 4<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the <\/span><b>highest level of emergency pollution-control measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, activated when the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR enters the <\/span><b>Severe+ category (above 450).<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> It imposes stringent restrictions to control pollution and prevent further deterioration in air quality.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is implemented under the direction of the <\/span><b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/commission-for-air-quality-management\/\" target=\"_blank\">Commission for Air Quality Management<\/a> (CAQM).<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It restricts the movement of trucks and other goods vehicles in Delhi-NCR.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It prohibits construction and demolition activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It imposes additional restrictions on industrial and other pollution-generating activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Measures under GRAP 1, GRAP 2 and GRAP 3 continue to remain in force.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The September 2026 revised GRAP schedule specifies five action points under Stage 4.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>GRAP 4 Restrictions and Measures<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The restrictions under GRAP 4 are designed to reduce emissions from heavy vehicles and construction activities while limiting public exposure to severe air pollution.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Restrictions on Truck Movement<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Entry of older trucks:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Entry of BS-IV and below trucks into Delhi is prohibited under the applicable restrictions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Cleaner vehicles:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> LNG, CNG, electric and BS-VI diesel trucks are permitted to enter Delhi, subject to the applicable provisions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Delhi-registered goods vehicles: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delhi-registered diesel-operated BS-IV and below Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are prohibited from plying in Delhi.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Essential commodities: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The September 2026 revision removed exemptions for BS-IV and below trucks and HGVs carrying essential commodities under Stage 4.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Also Read:- <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/grap-stage-2-in-delhi-ncr\/\" target=\"_blank\">CAQM imposes GRAP 2 in Delhi<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Restrictions on Construction and Demolition Activities<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Construction ban: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Restrictions on construction and demolition (C&amp;D) activities imposed under GRAP 3 are extended to linear public infrastructure projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Affected projects: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These include highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission lines, pipelines and telecommunication infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pollution control:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The restrictions aim to reduce dust emissions from excavation, demolition, material handling and other construction-related activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><strong>3. Hybrid Mode of School Education<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Classes covered: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Schools are required to conduct classes for students in Classes VI-IX and Class XI in a hybrid mode, wherever online education is feasible. Where online education is available, the option to attend classes online rests with students and their guardians.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Geographical coverage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The measure applies in Delhi and the NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Other NCR areas: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State governments may also consider extending hybrid classes to other areas of NCR.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Also Read:- <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/grap-1\/\" target=\"_blank\">Grap 1<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Additional Emergency Measures<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">State governments may consider further emergency measures depending on the severity of air pollution and local conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Educational institutions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Closure of colleges and other educational institutions may be considered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Commercial activities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Closure of non-emergency commercial activities may be considered.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Odd-even scheme:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Authorities may consider allowing vehicles to operate on alternate days based on the last digit of their registration numbers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Office attendance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Governments may introduce reduced physical attendance and work-from-home arrangements through separate directions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These additional measures are not automatically imposed merely because GRAP 4 is invoked; they require decisions by the competent authorities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Responsibilities of citizens under GRAP 4<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Public cooperation becomes particularly important when air quality reaches the Severe+ category. Citizens are advised to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children, older persons and people with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions should avoid outdoor activities as far as possible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wear masks when going outdoors, particularly if exposure to polluted air cannot be avoided.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prefer public transport and shared commuting instead of using private vehicles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid unnecessary vehicle journeys and switch off engines at traffic signals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid open burning of waste, biomass and other materials.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow restrictions on construction activities and vehicle movement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow official health advisories and instructions issued by local authorities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Also Read:- <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/delhi-air-pollution-2026\/\" target=\"_blank\">Delhi Air Pollution 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><b>When is GRAP 4 invoked?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CAQM invokes GRAP 4 when Delhi&#8217;s AQI enters the Severe+ category or when air-quality forecasts indicate the likelihood of severe deterioration.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>AQI assessment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitors air quality through its monitoring network.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Weather forecasts: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) provide forecasts on meteorological conditions and likely changes in air quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>CAQM assessment: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Sub-Committee on GRAP reviews prevailing AQI levels, pollution trends and forecasts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Preventive invocation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Authorities may invoke Stage 4 in advance if forecasts indicate that the AQI is likely to reach the Severe+ category.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Implementation: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once invoked, all concerned agencies across Delhi-NCR must implement Stage 4 measures along with restrictions under the preceding stages.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, on 17 January 2026, CAQM proactively invoked Stage 4 across Delhi-NCR after Delhi&#8217;s AQI rose from 400 at 4 PM to 428 at 8 PM amid unfavourable meteorological conditions. The decision was taken to prevent further deterioration, even before the AQI crossed 450.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Significance of GRAP 4<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Emergency pollution control:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Provides the highest level of intervention when air pollution reaches the Severe+ category.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reduction in vehicular emissions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Restricts the movement of older, more polluting heavy vehicles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Control of construction dust: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extends construction restrictions to major linear infrastructure projects.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Public health protection:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Introduces measures to reduce exposure, particularly among children and vulnerable groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Regional coordination:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Requires coordinated action by Delhi-NCR governments and enforcement agencies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Preventive response:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Allows authorities to take action based on forecasts rather than waiting for air quality to deteriorate further.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GRAP Stage 4 is Delhi-NCR&#8217;s highest pollution alert, imposed when AQI exceeds 450, restricting older trucks, construction work and some school activities to curb smog.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":131806,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[11332,11331],"class_list":["post-131889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-grap","tag-grap-4","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=131889"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131889\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":131897,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/131889\/revisions\/131897"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/131806"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=131889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=131889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=131889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}