What has changed for you in Delhi-NCR from GRAP 2 to 3? Cars, WFH, schools, offices, real estate, public transport and more | Today’s news
As air pollution worsens in Delhi-NCR, and with the implementation of III. stages of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), certain restrictions have been introduced in this area. These are above what was in I. and II. stage.
While Phase II is implemented when Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is between 301 and 400, Phase III comes into effect when the AQI enters the ‘Severe’ category, ranging from 401 to 450.
Move to III. stages brings stricter restrictions on construction and demolition activities, restrictions on certain categories of vehicles, hybrid classes for younger schoolchildren and the possibility of working from home for office employees.
Quick answers to key questions
•5 QUESTIONS
Grade III is associated with a “severe” AQI range of 401–450. CAQM can also apply its measures preemptively if forecasts indicate that air quality is likely to deteriorate.
BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or older light motor vehicles face restrictions in Delhi and specified NCR districts with high vehicle density. Additional curbs apply to certain BS-IV trucks and older diesel trucks entering or operating in Delhi; specially adapted vehicles used personally by persons with disabilities are exempt from the restrictions on private vehicles.
No. The state governments of Delhi and NCR have to decide whether public, municipal and private offices should function at 50% and the rest should work from home. The central government makes a separate decision for its employees.
Students up to class V in Delhi and Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar must be offered physical and online courses wherever online classes are possible. The choice to participate online is up to students and their legal guardians.
No. It imposes strict restrictions on dusty and polluting construction and demolition activities, but does not close every project. Essential infrastructure and some less polluting works may continue to be subject to dust control and waste management requirements.
Here’s what will change for you as Delhi-NCR moves from GRAP Phase II to Phase III, as per the revised framework released by the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) on September 29, 2026.
Cars: Which vehicles will be restricted under GRAP Stage III?
One of the most important changes under stage III concerns the movement of private vehicles.
Within the III. stages, the NCR state governments and the Delhi government are required to impose strict restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel or older light motor vehicles (LMVs), including four-wheelers.
These restrictions apply in Delhi and the high-traffic areas of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
This means owners of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars, along with vehicles below these emission norms, could face restrictions on using their vehicles in these areas when Stage III is implemented.
There is an exception for people with disabilities. They will be allowed to use BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMVs if the vehicles have been specially modified for them and are used only for their personal purposes.
The restrictions are to be implemented by the NCR state governments, the Delhi government, the transport department and the traffic police.
Trucks: Which trucks and commercial vehicles face restrictions?
Tier III also imposes restrictions on certain trucks entering and operating in Delhi.
The Delhi government is bound to impose strict restrictions on BS-IV diesel vehicles and older medium goods vehicles (MGVs) registered in Delhi within the national capital.
Besides, BS-IV diesel vehicles and older medium trucks registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the capital.
The restrictions also apply to BS-IV diesel vehicles and older Light Duty Vehicles (LGVs) registered outside Delhi, which will not be allowed to enter the city.
These measures complement the restrictions already in place in earlier phases of GRAP.
Working from home: Will offices operate at 50% capacity?
Within the II. stages, Delhi Government and NCR State Governments have to spread the timings of public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Level III introduces the possibility of a more extensive arrangement of work from home.
The NCR state governments and the Delhi government are required to take a decision to allow public, municipal and private offices to operate at 50% and the remaining employees will work from home.
This provision does not automatically establish an obligation to work from home for every private sector employee. It calls on the relevant governments to take decisions on the implementation of this arrangement.
Central Government may independently take appropriate decision to allow its employees in Delhi-NCR offices to work from home.
Real estate and construction: Which activities will be stopped?
The construction and real estate sector is among those facing the most significant restrictions under GRAP Phase III.
Within the II. stages, the authorities are obliged to intensify inspections to ensure compliance with dust measures at construction and demolition sites.
Stage III goes further by imposing strict restrictions on several construction activities causing dust and pollution across the NCR.
However, the restrictions do not constitute a blanket shutdown of all construction activity in the NCR.
Other construction activities that are relatively less polluting or less dust-producing may continue provided construction and demolition waste management rules and dust control requirements are strictly adhered to.
For some categories of projects, construction and demolition activities are also allowed to continue under prescribed conditions.
Students and schools: Which classrooms will go hybrid?
School attendance is another important area affected by the transition to III.
Under the third phase, state governments in NCR and the Delhi government have to conduct courses for students up to class V in a hybrid format.
This means that schools must provide both physical and online courses wherever online is feasible.
The provision covers Delhi and the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Other NCR state governments may also consider introducing hybrid classes for students up to class V in their respective areas.
Importantly, the ability to attend courses online wherever possible rests with students and their legal guardians.
Public transport: What changes for buses, metro and other services?
Unlike the restrictions on private vehicles and construction activities, it does not introduce III. stage of a separate new area restriction of public transport services in the revised GRAP timetable.
However, the measures imposed at earlier stages continue.
What will happen to other restrictions already imposed under GRAP II.
The transition to Phase III does not mean that Phase II measures will be lifted.
Restrictions and measures in earlier phases continue along with those introduced under the higher phase.
Within the II. stages, the authorities are obliged to intensify mechanical and vacuum sweeping of roads, increase water sprinkling with means to suppress dust and take targeted measures in identified sources of pollution.
Parking charges are also to be increased to discourage private transport.
Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) are required to provide electric heaters with electrical connections for security, sanitation, horticulture and other staff to prevent open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste during winter.
The phased timing of public authorities and municipal bodies, introduced under II.
