Delhi Chokes Again: AQI Hits 488, Schools Shut as GRAP-III Kicks In

Delhi’s air quality plunged into the “severe” band on November 11–12, peaking at a 24-hour average AQI of 488, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to trigger GRAP-III restrictions across the National Capital Region. Schools up to Class 5 moved to hybrid learning, construction and demolition were halted, and older vehicles were temporarily barred as PM2.5 climbed to roughly 291 µg/m³ — levels experts say equate to the health damage of smoking many cigarettes per day.

The Context (How We Got Here)

Delhi’s winter smog season returned amid a convergence of factors: a weak ventilation index and temperature inversions that trapped pollutants; a delayed harvest raising localized farm-fire activity in Punjab and Haryana; and persistent urban sources such as vehicle emissions, road dust and construction. Although stubble burning contributes seasonally, recent analyses and SAFAR forecasting suggest local emissions remain the dominant year-round drivers. Authorities warn the severe phase may persist through November 14 unless meteorological conditions improve.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

• CAQM — Invoked GRAP-III and coordinates NCR restrictions.
• Rekha Gupta (Delhi Chief Minister) — Announced school closures and hybrid classes; her administration faces criticism for a perceived delay in enforcement.
• Arvind Kejriwal (AAP leader, former CM) — Has publicly accused agencies of data manipulation and slow action, amplifying the political dimension of the crisis.
• SAFAR / IMD / CPCB — Scientific and monitoring bodies providing AQI and meteorological data used to time GRAP actions.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

Most coverage frames this as the seasonal smog cycle and emergency response. The deeper story is structural: recurrent crisis management rather than durable emission control. Short-term GRAP curbs are necessary to protect health, but they repeatedly treat symptoms—construction freezes, temporary vehicle bans—rather than reducing the year-round urban emissions that drive Delhi’s baseline pollution.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

• Public health: Hospitals report surges in respiratory complaints; chronic exposure raises long-term cardiovascular and respiratory risk.
• Policy: Expect renewed pressure for stricter local emission controls, faster vehicle-fleet upgrades, and better construction-dust enforcement — not just seasonal band-aids.
• Trust: Allegations about delayed action and AQI data anomalies (private monitors vs. official readings) risk eroding public confidence in institutions charged with protecting air quality.
• Economy & daily life: School closures, transport curbs and mask shortages disrupt work and education, with disproportionate impact on outdoor workers and low-income communities.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If Delhi can predict severe AQI days with modern models, why do emergency restrictions still arrive after the peak — and what will it take to shift from crisis response to year-round cleanup?

FAQs

What is Delhi’s AQI today?

Delhi’s AQI is 432, in the “severe” category. PM2.5 stands at 291 µg/m³, nearly 19× the WHO safe limit.

Why is Delhi’s air so polluted?

Low wind speeds, temperature inversion, and local emissions from vehicles, dust, and construction have trapped pollutants. Farm fires add 5–15% to the mix.

What is GRAP-III and what’s banned?

GRAP-III halts construction, bans older vehicles, and shifts schools (Classes 1–5) to hybrid mode when AQI crosses 400.

Is stubble burning the main cause?

No. It adds 5–15% temporarily, but vehicles and dust cause nearly 80% of Delhi’s pollution year-round.

How long will restrictions last?

Till November 14, 2025, or until AQI improves. Poor ventilation and calm weather may extend curbs.

How can residents stay safe?

Wear N95 masks, use air purifiers, avoid outdoor activity at dawn/dusk, and check daily AQI updates.

Sources

1. Indian Express — Delhi NCR AQI level today 12 November 2025: Delhi’s air quality remains severe; Wazirpur, Bawana among most polluted areas. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-ncr-aqi-level-today-12-november-2025-delhis-air-quality-remains-severe-wazirpur-bawana-among-most-polluted-areas-10360423/
2. Times of India — Delhi chokes as AQI touches 413, GRAP 3 in force while schools continue in hybrid mode. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/education/news/delhi-chokes-as-aqi-touches-413-grap-3-in-force-while-schools-continue-in-hybrid-mode/articleshow/125263796.cms
3. AQI.in — Delhi dashboard (real-time AQI). https://www.aqi.in/in/dashboard/india/delhi
4. New Indian Express — GRAP-III curbs imposed as air quality worsens. https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/delhi/2025/Nov/12/grap-iii-curbs-imposed-as-air-quality-worsens
5. AQI.in blog — Delhi air pollution background. https://www.aqi.in/blog/delhi-air-pollution/
6. PIB — Stubble burning and related updates. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2187847
7. Economic Times — Farm fires’ impact on air quality analysis. https://economictimes.com/news/india/delhi-aqi-set-to-worsen-as-farm-fires-impact-on-air-quality-expected-to-rise-sharply-this-week/articleshow/125132433.cms
8. News18 / SAFAR coverage — Stubble burning contribution and forecasts. https://www.news18.com/india/stubble-burning-contribution-in-delhi-pollution-rose-to-44-on-nov-2-3-scientist-aqi-to-remain-severe-8655439.html
9. EWS / TropMet Forecasts — ventilation index & meteorological data. https://ews.tropmet.res.in
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11. NDTV — Protests and political statements on air crisis. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/health-emergency-not-blame-game-delhi-air-pollution-protesters-detained-9605185
12. Indian Express — Schools switch to hybrid as GRAP-III comes into effect. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/hybrid-mode-back-at-delhi-schools-for-students-till-class-5-as-grap-3-comes-into-effect-10358911/
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14. AQICN — Delhi city historical AQI. https://aqicn.org/city/delhi/
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16. AQI.in blog — Hospitalisations & health impacts. https://www.aqi.in/blog/air-pollution-hospitalisations-in-delhi/
17. NDTV — Delhi air severe for second day; live coverage. https://www.ndtv.com/delhi-news/delhi-air-pollution-delhi-air-quality-delhis-air-quality-severe-for-second-day-in-a-row-9619663
18. Indian Express — GRAP-III details and restrictions explainer. https://www.indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/delhi-air-pollution-aqi-turns-severe-grap-iii-imposed-10358546/
19. Times of India — What GRAP-III bans and allows. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/grap-iii-activated-in-delhi-ncr-know-whats-banned-and-whats-allowed-amid-severe-pollution/articleshow/125243701.cms
20. ScienceChronicle / research — Stubble burning contribution study. https://sciencechronicle.in/2025/05/07/stubble-burning-in-punjab-haryana-contributes-only-14-of-pm2-5-in-delhi-ncr/
21. Business Standard — CAQM vehicle & dust study. https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/caqm-revisits-study-vehicles-dust-industries-lead-delhi-ncr-pollution-124100100268_1.html
22. IIT Kanpur / academic references — air-quality attribution studies (see cited journals). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969725022338
23. News18 — Gufran Beig (SAFAR) statements on stubble timing. https://www.news18.com/india/stubble-burning-contribution-in-delhi-pollution-rose-to-44-on-nov-2-3-scientist-aqi-to-remain-severe-8655439.html
24. BBC — International coverage of GRAP response. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c751yyz44d2o
25. Times of India — Data-manipulation allegations and politics. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/four-government-agencies-manipulated-delhis-pollution-data-on-diwali-night-aap-saurabh-bhardwaj/articleshow/124743969.cms
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27. DrishtiIAS — Fire detection discrepancies analysis. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/discrepancies-in-satellite-data-on-farm-fires
28. Nature — ML AQI forecasting research. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-54807-1
29. ScienceDirect — AI models for AQI prediction. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0269749124007541
30. Firstpost — GRAP-III enforcement reporting. https://www.firstpost.com/india/delhis-air-quality-reaches-emergency-levels-for-the-first-time-this-year-grap-3-enforced-13949845.html