Post Diwali celebrations, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) has taken a massive hit, which means if you live in the Delhi NCR region and commute for work every day, then you should start preparing for vehicular restrictions in the coming days. On October 21, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) data showed that Delhi had an average AQI of 351, which comes under the 'very poor' category and triggers GRAP Stage 2 restrictions.
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The air quality deterioration concerns had started on October 14, when Delhi's AQI had gone up to 211, classified under the 'poor' category, triggering GRAP Stage 1 restrictions. If you drive your four-wheeler or two-wheeler
in the Delhi NCR region every day, then here is a quick and easy explainer on what vehicle restrictions are mandated within the different stages of the government's Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution in the national capital.
#AQI of #Delhi today at 4:00 PM (Average of past 24 hours)
For more details, kindly visit:https://t.co/uNGy2dmc5Z #GoGreenBreatheClean pic.twitter.com/iYj29Z4xuL
— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) October 21, 2025
1. Vehicle Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 1:
GRAP Stage 1 restrictions are implemented when AQI levels reach between 201 to 300 and are classified as 'poor' air quality. Under Stage 1, overage vehicles such as diesel cars older than 10 years and petrol cars older than 15 years are restricted from plying on public roads. If caught, then the owner of such a vehicle can be fined up to Rs 10,000 as per the Motor Vehicles Act, there is also the possibility of the vehicle being impounded.
2. Driving Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 2:
GRAP Stage 2 restrictions are imposed when air quality drops under the 'very poor' category and AQI reaches between 301 to 400. Under Stage 2, additional vehicular restrictions such as increased parking fees to discourage private vehicle usage, increased frequency of public transport and traffic synchronisation are implemented to keep pollution levels in check. These restrictions and practices are implemented over and above the Stage 1 restrictions.
3. Vehicle Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 3:
Stage 3 of GRAP comes into effect when air quality in the capital city drops to the 'Severe' category and AQI hovers between 401 to 450. Stage 3 also brings in enhanced vehicular restrictions, such as a ban on BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars and two-wheelers. The ban also extends to NCR regions such as Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Noida.
Under Stage 3, only fully-electric, CNG or BS6 diesel vehicles are allowed to ply on public roads. Additional restrictions are imposed on inter-state buses, with an exception for electric, CNG or BS6 diesel buses. Identification and impoundment of overage vehicles is also enhanced during Stage 3.
4. GRAP Stage 4 Vehicle Restrictions:
GRAP Stage 4 comes into effect when AQI goes over 450 and is classified as 'Severe Plus'. For most private car and two-wheeler owners with BS3 petrol or BS4 diesel vehicles, driving in Delhi is effectively banned from GRAP Stage 3 onwards, however, Stage 4 takes the restrictions on commercial vehicles a step further. Diesel-run BS4 or below commercial vehicles of the medium to heavy category are banned, except those carrying essential items. Non-essential goods transport is only allowed by commercial vehicles that run on electric batteries, CNG or LNG. Private vehicle restrictions are carried over from Stage 3.
Under the GRAP guidelines, those who own private cars or two-wheelers that comply with BS6 emission norms are allowed to drive on public roads. The regulations further promote the use of fully electric or hybrid electric vehicles and also suggest that vehicle owners keep up to date Pollution Under Check (PUC) certificates to avoid getting hefty fines.
Keep reading Times Now Auto for instant updates on pollution-related vehicle policy.
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