Thu Jan 30 01:07:58 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Triggers Stage 3 Air Quality Curbs Amid Soaring Pollution

**New Delhi, January 30, 2025** – Delhi-NCR has implemented Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to a sharp rise in air pollution levels. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the curbs on Wednesday, January 29th, after the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 365, classified as “Severe.”

Unfavorable weather conditions, including calm winds and low mixing height, exacerbated pollution from vehicle emissions, agricultural burning, and other sources. Stage 3 restrictions include:

* **Construction Ban:** A ban on non-essential construction work.
* **School Adjustments:** Schools up to grade 5 will shift to a hybrid learning model, with online options available.
* **Vehicle Restrictions:** A ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel 4-wheelers (with exemptions for persons with disabilities) and non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi and surrounding NCR districts.

The GRAP categorizes air quality into four stages, with Stage 3 signifying severe pollution (AQI 401-450). Authorities warn that the combination of meteorological factors and various pollution sources contributes to the hazardous air quality experienced in the region during winter months.

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