Delhi air quality worsens sharply on 15 November 2025, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 386 at 4:00 PM, classified as very poor by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The deterioration stems from low temperatures of 9.7 degrees Celsius and calm winds trapping pollutants, officials said. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage III measures remain enforced since 11 November, banning non-essential trucks and construction. Health experts warn of acute respiratory risks, while recent protests highlight public frustration. This unfolds on Sunday, 16 November 2025.
Delhi AQI Severe GRAP III Measures Take Hold
The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) invoked Stage III of GRAP on 11 November 2025, following a spike in pollution levels. This step activates stricter controls across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) to curb emissions.
Under these Delhi AQI severe GRAP III measures, authorities prohibit entry of all trucks carrying non-essential goods into Delhi, except those powered by clean fuels like CNG or electric. Essential commodities such as milk, vegetables and medicines receive exemptions. Construction and demolition activities halt entirely on public projects, including road repairs and building works, barring critical infrastructure like railways and metro lines.
A CAQM order dated 11 November 2025 states: “Immediate implementation of actions under Stage-III of the extant GRAP schedule is necessary due to sharp deterioration in AQI.” Enforcement teams from Delhi Police and municipal bodies monitor compliance, with fines up to INR 1 lakh for violations.
Data from CPCB’s AQI bulletin on 15 November shows PM2.5 levels at dominant pollutant concentrations, averaging over 200 micrograms per cubic metre, 12 times the safe annual limit set by the World Health Organisation. Stubble burning in neighbouring states contributes 30 per cent to the load, per satellite observations.
Delhi Smog Health Risks 2025: A Growing Crisis
Delhi smog health risks 2025 have escalated with prolonged exposure to fine particulate matter. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued an advisory on 12 November 2025, directing all government hospitals to establish dedicated chest clinics for pollution-related ailments.
Symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath, particularly among children, the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions like asthma. A Press Information Bureau release on 11 November notes: “Unfavourable meteorological conditions exacerbate the issue, leading to potential surges in hospital admissions.”
Official figures indicate over 17,000 annual deaths linked to air pollution in Delhi alone, based on recent epidemiological studies cited by the CPCB. Early warning systems forecast the AQI slipping into the severe category (over 400) from 17 November, urging vulnerable groups to limit outdoor activities.
Schools in Delhi closed for primary students until further notice, shifting to online classes. Hospitals report a 25 per cent rise in respiratory cases since early November.
Delhi Pollution Protests November Ignite Public Outrage
Delhi pollution protests November reached a peak on 9 November 2025, when hundreds gathered at India Gate, demanding immediate government intervention. Protesters, including activists and families, carried placards reading “Right to Breathe” and chanted against recurring smog episodes.
Delhi Police detained around 80 participants briefly, citing public order concerns. The demonstration, organised by environmental groups, highlighted failures in enforcing anti-pollution laws despite repeated promises.
A participant told Reuters: “We cannot live in this gas chamber anymore.” The event pressured authorities to accelerate GRAP implementation, leading to heightened patrols.
Such actions reflect mounting civic discontent, with social media amplifying calls for regional cooperation on crop residue management.
Background: Recurring Winter Woe
Delhi’s winter pollution cycle traces back to 2015, when GRAP first launched. Stubble burning peaks post-monsoon, combining with vehicular emissions and industrial output to form dense smog. This year, Diwali fireworks exacerbated the baseline, pushing AQI above 300 by late October.
CPCB archives show average November AQI hovering at 350 over the past five years, but 2025 marks an early severe alert. Interstate coordination remains key, with Punjab and Haryana deploying anti-smog squads.
Delhi Air Quality Worsens: What’s Next
Authorities plan to review GRAP status daily, potentially escalating to Stage IV if AQI exceeds 450. CAQM aims to intensify dust suppression and public transport incentives. Long-term, the National Clean Air Programme targets 40 per cent reduction by 2026 through electric vehicle adoption.
As Delhi air quality worsens further into the week, sustained multi-stakeholder efforts offer the only path to clearer skies.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, November 16th, 2025
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