Graded Response Action Plan GRAP Stage 3
As winter sets in and air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) deteriorates, the GRAP mechanism becomes a key instrument to curb pollution. This article explains the GRAP Stage 3 (“Severe” category) guidelines and what they mean specifically for petrol and diesel vehicles in Delhi.
📌 What is GRAP and When Does GRAP Stage 3 Kick In?
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a system designed to trigger incremental pollution-control measures as air quality deteriorates in Delhi–NCR. The four major stages are:
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Stage I: “Poor” air quality (AQI 201-300)
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Stage II: “Very Poor” (AQI 301-400)
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Stage III: “Severe” (AQI 401-450)
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Stage IV: “Severe Plus” (AQI >450)
GRAP Stage 3 is invoked when air quality breaches the “Severe” threshold or is expected to do so.
Under Stage 3, a set of stricter curbs come into effect, including many on vehicle movement and older/poorer emission‐standard vehicles.
Source: PIB
Also Read: https://grandautoworld.com/evs-cost-same-as-petrol-cars-in-2026/
🚦 Key Restrictions Under GRAP Stage 3
When GRAP Stage 3 is declared, the following are some of the main vehicle-related restrictions to note:
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Private four-wheelers meeting older emission standards — specifically BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles — are prohibited from plying in Delhi-NCR until the GRAP restrictions are revoked.
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Non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles of BS-IV or older standards are banned from entering or operating in Delhi.
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Construction and demolition activities, brick kilns and non-essential diesel-gensets are also curtailed — though these relate more to non-vehicle pollution sources.
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Fines for violations can be steep — for example, bans on the older vehicles category come with penalties up to around Rs 20,000 in many cases.
🔍 Implications for Petrol Cars
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Owners of BS-III petrol cars must be aware that under GRAP Stage 3 these cars are not allowed to ply in Delhi/NCR while the restrictions are in force.
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If you’re driving a petrol car of higher standard (e.g., BS-IV, BS-VI), you are not automatically banned. However, enforcement may intensify — e.g., PUC checks might become stricter.
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If your vehicle is registered outside Delhi but uses Delhi roads during Stage 3 enforcement, you may face fines or denial of entry. Many checkpoints are placed at border points.
🔧 Implications for Diesel Cars
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Diesel vehicles face heavier restrictions because their emissions (particularly particulates and NOx) are of greater concern during poor-air episodes.
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Under Stage 3: BS-IV diesel cars (private) are banned from plying in Delhi/NCR.
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Diesel commercial vehicles of older standards face even stricter controls — e.g., non-essential trucks, buses, LCVs (light commercial vehicles) that do not meet latest norms may be barred at city borders.
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Even when the ban is lifted, diesel owners may be advised to check for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, since enforcement of PUC has been ramped up during GRAP implementation.
✅ What Vehicle Owners Should Do
If you own a vehicle in Delhi/NCR, consider the following steps to remain compliant when GRAP Stage 3 (or higher) is in force:
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Check your vehicle’s emission standard: Refer to your registration certificate (RC) to see if the vehicle is BS-III petrol / BS-IV diesel / higher (BS-VI, etc).
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Monitor AQI and official announcements: GRAP stages are triggered by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) or relevant authorities — they publish when Stage 3 is invoked or lifted.
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Avoid using older standard vehicles on days of high AQI: Even if not officially banned yet, older vehicles contribute disproportionately to pollution and may be subject to ad-hoc checks.
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Ensure valid PUC certificate: Authorities have issued large numbers of challans for vehicles without a PUC during GRAP enforcement.
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Explore alternatives: If your vehicle is subject to restrictions, consider alternative transport (public transport, car-pooling) or routes that avoid the core restricted zones.
🔮 Longer-Term Considerations
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Owners of older-standard vehicles (BS-III petrol, BS-IV diesel) may face increasing regulatory risk during future winters as pollution episodes recur. It may be worth looking into vehicle upgrade or certain resale strategies.
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Vehicle markets may shift: Higher demand for cleaner vehicles (BS-VI petrol/diesel, CNG, electric) may accelerate in Delhi/NCR due to recurring restrictions.
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Even for allowed vehicles, expect enforcement to increase: More roadside checks, stricter PUC enforcement and possibly variable restrictions depending on pollution levels.
📣 Final Word
In short: If you’re driving in Delhi-NCR and your vehicle is a BS-III petrol or BS-IV diesel, you must be especially alert during periods when GRAP Stage 3 is in force. These vehicles may be barred from operation, subject to heavy fines, or turned back at entry points. For newer-standard petrol or diesel vehicles the risk is lower, but staying compliant (PUC, registration status) is still important.
Given Delhi’s recurring air-quality challenges, vehicle owners would be wise to plan ahead and keep informed about GRAP Stage 3 announcements.