Delhi Enforces GRAP-2 Rules to Fight Winter Pollution

Delhi-NCR implemented GRAP-2, the second stage of its pollution control framework, from 2 November 2026, as air quality in the region continued to deteriorate heading into winter.

The measures under this stage include a sharp rise in parking charges and revised timings for government offices, both intended to discourage unnecessary vehicle use and reduce traffic-related emissions during peak pollution hours.

On the opening day of the city's Winter Action Plan, authorities reported collecting fines totalling ₹68.4 lakh from vehicles found violating pollution norms, underlining the scale of enforcement being carried out across the capital.

More than 1,500 vehicles were turned away at Delhi's border checkpoints after failing to meet pollution compliance requirements, as part of a broader push to prevent high-emission vehicles from entering the city.

Delhi experiences a predictable surge in air pollution every winter, driven by a combination of factors including vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stubble-burning smoke drifting in from neighbouring states. The Graded Response Action Plan, commonly known as GRAP, was designed to respond to this cyclical crisis through a tiered system of restrictions.

Stage 2 typically introduces additional restrictions compared with Stage 1, such as a ban on diesel generator sets and increased frequency of public transport services, aimed at easing the overall pollution load without halting economic activity entirely.

The Winter Action Plan, under which these measures fall, represents a coordinated strategy by Delhi's government to tackle seasonal air quality decline through a combination of enforcement, monitoring, and public communication campaigns.

Authorities have indicated that further restrictions could be imposed if pollution levels worsen, in line with the graded structure of the response plan.