Noida Puts GRAP-III: As air quality across NCR slid into the ‘Severe’ (AQI 401-450) bracket this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). In step, the Noida Authority has directed residents, institutions and on-ground agencies to ensure full compliance—halting non-essential construction and demolition, curbing categories of older vehicles, and intensifying anti-dust and enforcement actions. Essential projects—metro rail, hospitals and certain flyover/critical public works—are permitted under safeguards.
The Trigger: CAQM’s Stage-III Order
CAQM’s sub-committee invoked Stage-III with immediate effect on November 11, 2025, citing calm winds, a stable atmosphere and unfavourable met conditions that rapidly worsened AQI. The order activates a 9-point action plan on top of Stage-I/II steps, including strict curbs on construction/demolition dust, restrictions on polluting vehicles, and closure of high-emission operations like RMC plants and stone-crushers.
Noida Authority’s Directions
The Authority has publicly instructed all Noida residents, entities and working agencies to follow GRAP-III and CAQM guidelines—warning of action for non-compliance. The post (Hindi) explicitly references essential-work exemptions for metro rail, hospital, and flyover-related projects. Read it here:
What’s BANNED right now (Stage-III across NCR; enforced in Noida)
- Non-essential construction and demolition activities (with limited, defined exceptions).
- Operation of RMC plants and stone-crushers (except units meeting stringent norms as specifically allowed; field enforcement applies).
- Use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in affected areas of NCR; violations invite challans/seizure.
- Earthwork/digging that generates fugitive dust, unless exempted as essential and fully dust-controlled.
What’s ALLOWED (with safeguards)
- Essential public projects: metro rail, hospitals, flyovers/critical public infrastructure—subject to anti-dust measures (enclosures, sprinklers, wheel-washing, covered material transport).
- Public transport (Delhi Metro adding capacity; advisories push modal shift).
- Routine life & essential services continue, unless a specific local order says otherwise (schools/offices function with advisories; some jurisdictions may shift junior classes online briefly).
Local Enforcement: How Noida Is Implementing GRAP-III
- Construction sites: Stop-work orders on non-essential sites; surprise inspections; penalties, sealing for repeat breaches. Coverage has noted citywide bans beyond essential works.
- Road & dust control: Mechanical sweepers, anti-smog guns, increased water sprinkling, debris removal on median/shoulders. (Violations continue to be reported amid severe AQI.)
- Vehicle curbs: Traffic police and transport teams enforce the BS-III petrol/BS-IV diesel restrictions and heavy-vehicle entries as per CAQM directions.
Why it matters now: the data and the health signal
- AQI spike: Delhi-NCR touched ‘Severe’ this week—the worst levels in months—triggering Stage-III region-wide.
- Health risk: At ‘Severe’, short-term exposure can aggravate asthma and cardiovascular stress; advisories urge masking outdoors and reduced strenuous activity. (CAQM invokes Stage-III precisely to limit exposure drivers.)
For Builders & Site Managers: A Compliance Playbook
Stop non-essential work now. If your project is not metro/hospital/flyover/critical, halt earthwork, excavation, concrete mixing, wall-breaking and material cutting.
Dust SOPs (even for essentials): Enclose sites, cover stockpiles, deploy misting/sprinklers and wheel-wash at exits; only covered trucks for material movement. Keep logs for inspection.
RMC/stone-crusher operations: Treat them as shut unless expressly cleared under Stage-III norms; expect field checks.
Worker safety: Issue N95s for outdoor tasks and limit shift hours in peak pollution windows.
For RWAs & Residents: Practical Steps Today
- Transport choices: Avoid driving restricted older vehicles; favour Metro and app-buses where available.
- Housekeeping: Don’t burn leaves; wet-mop courtyards; cover renovation debris; ask contractors to pause renovation demolitions/cutting until curbs lift.
- Reporting: Flag visible violations (illegal demolition/dust) to the Authority/pollution control helplines; attach geo-tags/photos for quicker action. (Local desks are active during GRAP.)
Vehicles & Mobility: What to Know
- BS-III petrol / BS-IV diesel four-wheelers are under curbs in the NCR during Stage-III; police checks intensify on major corridors.
- Freight movement: Tighter scrutiny of high-emission vehicles; essential goods and cleaner-fuel vehicles get priority passes per CAQM/traffic advisories.
- Public transport boost: Expect extra Metro frequency to encourage a switch away from private vehicles.
Enforcement & Penalties
Media briefings note Noida is halting construction/demolition and curbing vehicles, with legal action for non-compliance—including fines, sealing and work-stop notices. RMC and stone-crusher operations face shutdowns until AQI improves and Stage-III is lifted.
Economic & Project-Delivery Impact (Short-Term)
- Real estate & infra: Temporary slowdowns for non-essential projects; critical public works continue under controls. (Coverage cites strict enforcement across Noida.)
- Logistics & retail: Expect marginal delivery delays as vehicle checks and diversions increase.
- Labour welfare: Contractors should re-schedule outdoor shifts, provide PPE and indoor tasks where possible.
Public Duty and Care in a Shared Sky
(values-linked reflection)
Policy can draw the line, but collective restraint makes the air breathable. Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj suggests in His discourses values like truthfulness, non-harm and service translate into honest compliance (no token sprinkling), respect for advisories, and care for the vulnerable—children, elders, workers on the road. A city that treats GRAP-III not as an inconvenience but as shared responsibility is already choosing compassion in action protecting health today and creating habits that outlast this pollution spell.
Call to Action
HFor Builders/Contractors
Pause and proof
- Halt non-essential activities; keep photo/video logs of dust controls on essential sites.
- Maintain covered transport, wheel-wash, and misting schedules; keep a compliance register ready for surprise checks.
For RWAs/Schools
Reduce exposure
- Shift intense outdoor activities; issue AQI-based advisories; keep infirmaries stocked with inhalers/masks.
- Coordinate with the Authority for hotspot dusting/sweeping in your sector.
For Commuters
Switch modes
- Prefer Metro/public transport; avoid restricted vehicles; plan for checks on arterial roads.
Also Read: Delhi-NCR Pollution Emergency: CAQM Enforces Stage-III GRAP to Curb Toxic Air
FAQs: Noida Puts GRAP-III
1) Why did Stage-III get invoked now?
Because AQI in Delhi-NCR jumped into ‘Severe’, and CAQM’s sub-committee is mandated to trigger Stage-III to prevent further deterioration.
2) Are all construction activities banned?
Most are paused. Essential works—metro, hospital, flyover/critical public projects—can continue with strict dust control.
3) Can I drive my older car?
BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers face curbs during Stage-III; expect enforcement and penalties in affected NCR areas.
4) Are RMC plants and stone-crushers operating?
No—these are shut under Stage-III unless specifically exempted under stringent conditions; enforcement is active.
5) How long will this last?
Stage-III stays until AQI conditions permit revocation by CAQM; the Commission updates orders on its site.
