GRAP-4 curbs imposed in Delhi-NCR as air quality worsens to ‘severe’

As the overall air quality of Delhi worsened to the ‘severe’ category, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Saturday (January 17, 2026) evening announced a ban on the entry of truck traffic into Delhi, except for those carrying essential commodities and providing essential services.

Further, classes for school students, except for those in Grade 10 and 12, will be shifted to ‘hybrid mode’ in Delhi and in neighbouring districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.

The restrictions are part of a list of actions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of short-term emergency measures taken to reduce air pollution, imposed by the Commission on Saturday.

Existing restrictions under stage 1, 2, 3 of the GRAP will also continue.

The overall air quality of Delhi was in the severe category on Saturday evening (January 17, 2026) with an AQI of 428 by 8 p.m., as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Air pollution of ‘severe’ category “affects healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases”, as per the CPCB.

The CAQM on Saturday (January 17, 2026) directed all NCR (National Capital Region) governments to implement the restrictions with “immediate effect” in entire Delhi and also in the NCR districts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan.

The restrictions will come into effect after respective State governments pass orders to implement them.

State governments may consider additional emergency measures such as closure of colleges/educational institutions and closure of non-emergency commercial activities, odd-even vehicle rationing scheme, as per Stage 4 of GRAP.

All LNG, CNG, Electric, BS-VI Diesel trucks shall however be permitted to enter Delhi.