Two days after Diwali, on October 22, Delhi's 24-hour average AQI touched 353 at 4 pm, remaining in the 'very poor' category. Thick smog blanketed the national capital and visibility dropped drastically on the Dwarka Expressway and across Gurugram and Noida. GRAP Stage II measures continued including bans on coal and firewood in hotels and restaurants, diesel generator restrictions, construction activity curbs, and mechanized road cleaning. The Central Pollution Control Board reported that on Diwali evening 34 out of the city's 38 monitoring stations were in the 'very poor' to 'severe' red zone. Health advisories warned vulnerable groups — children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions — to stay indoors.
Delhi Smog Intensifies Post-Diwali: GRAP-II in Force as AQI Touches 353 on October 22
AQuick answer
Delhi's 24-hour average AQI touched 353 on Oct 22, two days post-Diwali; GRAP-II remained in force after being invoked on Oct 19; 34 of 38 CPCB stations were in the red zone on Diwali evening.
Key facts
- Delhi AQI at 377 two days after Diwali (October 22); thick smog blanketed NCR with drastically reduced visibility
- GRAP Stage II measures in effect: bans on coal/firewood in hotels, diesel generator restrictions, construction curbs, mechanized road cleaning
- 36 out of 38 CPCB monitoring stations recorded 'very poor' to 'severe' conditions
- Health advisories warned vulnerable groups — children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions — to stay indoors
Mains angle
Q: Analyse the efficacy of GRAP Stage II measures and Delhi's air quality governance as AQI touched 377 two days after Diwali with 36 of 38 CPCB stations in very poor to severe range.
Answer (50 words):
Two days post-Diwali on October 22, Delhi's AQI recorded 377 with 36 of 38 CPCB stations in very poor to severe range. GRAP Stage II remained enforced including coal and firewood bans in hotels, diesel generator restrictions, construction curbs, and mechanized road cleaning, exposing the reactive nature of episodic pollution governance.
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Linked questionMedium
Under which Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage were restrictions enforced in Delhi on October 22, 2025, as AQI touched 377 post-Diwali?
Explanation · Correct answer B
GRAP Stage II measures continued on October 22, including bans on coal and firewood in hotels/restaurants, diesel generator restrictions, construction activity curbs, and mechanized road cleaning. 36 out of 38 CPCB monitoring stations recorded 'very poor' to 'severe' conditions.
Source: Business Today
Frequently asked questions
What air quality level did Delhi reach post-Diwali 2025 causing GRAP-II enforcement?
Delhi's **AQI (Air Quality Index) touched 377** post-Diwali 2025, reaching the **'Very Poor'** category. This triggered enforcement of **GRAP-II (Graded Response Action Plan Stage II)** to curb worsening air pollution.
What is GRAP and what does GRAP-II mean for Delhi?
**GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan)** is a set of emergency measures for Delhi-NCR triggered at different pollution levels. **GRAP-II** (AQI 301-400) involves restrictions on construction dust, diesel generators, and enhanced enforcement of emission norms.
What caused Delhi's AQI to reach 377 after Diwali 2025?
Delhi's AQI reached **377 post-Diwali 2025** due to **firecracker smoke, vehicular emissions, stubble burning** from neighbouring states, and unfavourable meteorological conditions including low wind speed and temperature inversion.
What restrictions does GRAP-II impose in Delhi?
**GRAP-II** in Delhi includes **banning construction dust activities, restricting diesel generator use, stricter enforcement of BS-IV vehicle norms**, enhanced sprinkling of water on roads, and mechanised sweeping to control particulate matter.
How does post-Diwali smog affect Delhi residents' health?
Post-Diwali smog with AQI of **377 (Very Poor)** causes **respiratory problems, eye irritation, aggravation of asthma and heart conditions** among Delhi residents. Prolonged exposure to such levels is equivalent to smoking multiple cigarettes per day.
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