Delhi's AQI hits 324, GRAP Stage-II invoked; vehicle parking fees rise
· India · The Hindu, LiveMint, Times of India
Delhi's air quality plunged to 324, a 'very poor' AQI, on November 2, 2026, prompting the CAQM to invoke Stage-II of the GRAP action plan across the NCR. The spike followed a sharp rise from 117 on October 31 to 261 on November 1, with forecasts warning continued poor conditions. Under Stage-II, NCR state governments must increase vehicle parking fees, stagger public office hours, and tighten road-sweeping and sprinkling measures. The CAQM warned that unfavourable meteorology and India Meteorological Department projections will likely keep AQI in the 'very poor' range in the coming days. Delhi's air quality deteriorated despite earlier moderate readings, raising public health concerns and prompting immediate regulatory responses.
Why it matters
Residents across Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar face higher parking fees and altered office schedules, directly affecting daily commuters and local businesses. The escalated GRAP measures aim to curb pollution but will impact transportation costs and work patterns for millions in the NCR region.
Read the original report — The Hindu
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