The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday invoked Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect, as Delhi's air quality worsened to 'very poor' at an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 324, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Source: DevDiscourse (CAQM)

The decision escalates the pollution episode that Awaaz Punjab reported on Monday morning, when Delhi first entered the 'very poor' band at AQI 307 on the first full day of the capital's Winter Action Plan. By the CPCB's 4 pm reading, the day's AQI had risen further to 324 — the highest since February 4, when it stood at 339 — and Delhi's first 'very poor' day of the season.

Source: Daily Jagran (CPCB data)

324Delhi AQI at 4 pm on Monday (CPCB) — 'very poor'
436Jahangirpuri AQI — in the 'severe' band
117 → 261 → 324Delhi AQI: Saturday → Sunday → Monday
Nov 5AQI forecast to stay 'very poor' until

A three-day slide into 'very poor'

The CAQM sub-committee's review noted a steep 72-hour slide: Delhi's AQI was 117 in the 'moderate' category on Saturday, rose sharply to 261 in the 'poor' category on Sunday, and worsened to 324 on Monday. At 4 pm, three of the city's 58 monitoring stations were in the 'severe' band (401–500), including Jahangirpuri at 436 and Rohini at 415, while 37 stations logged 'very poor', 17 were 'poor' and one was 'moderate'. Neighbouring Noida recorded an overall AQI of 305, also 'very poor'.

Source: DevDiscourse (CAQM)

What Stage-II means on the ground

Stage-II now applies alongside the existing Stage-I restrictions. Municipal corporations, traffic police and pollution control boards across Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been directed to enforce stringent anti-pollution actions, and authorities are required to step up measures and encourage greater use of public transport. The ban on entry of non-BS VI vehicles into Delhi, already being enforced at the capital's borders under the Winter Action Plan, continues.

Source: Inshorts (CAQM)

The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that the AQI will remain in the 'very poor' category until November 5, with marginal improvement to 'poor' expected over the following six days. Medical experts cited in the reports advised residents to limit prolonged outdoor activity while AQI stays above 300, particularly children, the elderly and people with respiratory conditions, as the capital heads into Diwali on November 8.