GRAP Stage 1 to Stage 4 Explained: What Delhi Vehicle Owners Must Do

What is GRAP & why does Delhi follow it?

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a rule-book created for Delhi–NCR to control air pollution during the winter months. Instead of waiting for the situation to get “very bad” and then reacting, GRAP gives authorities a step–by–step plan – Stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 – based on the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Whenever pollution crosses a certain level, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announces which GRAP stage is active. Once a stage is announced, different departments – traffic police, transport, municipal bodies, RTOs – start implementing specific actions.

In peak weeks, enforcement can become very visible on roads — for example, large-scale checks and challans for PUC/document violations and impounding of non-compliant vehicles have been reported during anti-pollution drives (Times of India report).

For vehicle owners in Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad & other NCR cities, GRAP decides things like:

• Which types of vehicles can or cannot run on roads
• Stricter PUC (Pollution Under Control) checks and challans
• Curbs on construction, entry of outside trucks and older commercial vehicles
• Temporary restrictions like odd–even or diversions whenever required

In short – if you drive a car, bike, taxi, commercial vehicle or goods carrier in Delhi–NCR, GRAP directly affects you. Knowing the stages helps you avoid last–minute panic and heavy fines.

How do GRAP stages 1–4 get activated?

GRAP is linked to the daily AQI data from monitoring stations across Delhi–NCR. The AQI ranges and typical triggers are:

• Stage 1 – “Poor” AQI (around 201–300): Early warning. Dust control & basic enforcement.
• Stage 2 – “Very Poor” AQI (301–400): Stricter checks, curbs on construction and open burning.
• Stage 3 – “Severe” AQI (401–450): Strong restrictions on vehicles, construction & industries.
• Stage 4 – “Severe+” AQI (>450 for a few days): Emergency–level measures and movement curbs.

When CAQM issues an order for a particular stage, all measures of the previous stages continue unless they are specifically relaxed. So if Stage 3 is active, the city is following actions of Stage 1, 2 and 3 together.

If you want to understand how a “Stage 3 order” typically reads in the news (what’s allowed vs not, and what it means for vehicles), this kind of explainer is useful: Times of India: GRAP Stage 3 imposed — key details.

That’s why it’s important for vehicle owners to check the latest GRAP update before planning long trips, commercial deliveries or visiting Delhi from outside NCR.

Stage 1 – “Poor” air quality: What should vehicle owners do?

Stage 1 is usually the first alert when pollution starts rising at the beginning of winter. At this stage, governments focus on prevention and awareness.

For car, bike and commercial vehicle owners, Stage 1 mostly means:

• Strict PUC enforcement: Traffic police can stop more vehicles for on–the–spot PUC checks.
• No visible smoke: Vehicles emitting visible black smoke are more likely to be fined or sent for fitness/inspection.
• Regular servicing: Ensuring engine tuning, air filters and fuel systems are maintained to keep emissions low.
• Basic route planning: Avoid long idling in traffic jams; use Metro or shared cabs when possible.

If you already have valid RC, insurance and PUC and your vehicle is in good mechanical condition, Stage 1 usually doesn’t disturb your daily routine – but it is the best time to become compliant before higher stages are announced.

Stage 2 – “Very Poor” air quality: Extra curbs & stricter checking

When AQI enters the “very poor” zone, authorities move from soft warnings to visible on–ground action. Construction and road dust become a major focus, but transport checks also increase.

For vehicle owners, Stage 2 may bring:

• Higher number of traffic checkpoints – especially near borders and busy corridors.
• Crackdown on old polluting commercial vehicles, especially those entering from outside Delhi–NCR as per the latest CAQM/Transport Department notifications.
• Ban on diesel generator sets in many areas, which affects workshops and warehouses using gensets.
• Parking restrictions & higher parking fees in some zones to discourage unnecessary car use.

This is also the phase where you’ll often see border/entry curbs discussed more openly in local reporting. For example, this report covers how enforcement was told to implement entry restrictions: Times of India: GRAP-II entry curbs & check-post enforcement.

Private vehicle owners should:

• Always carry updated PUC, RC, insurance and driving licence.
• Avoid non–essential long drives into Delhi from neighbouring states during peak restrictions.
• Use public transport, car–pooling or office cabs wherever possible.

If you use your vehicle for app–based cabs, small goods transport or commercial purposes, Stage 2 is the stage where you should start planning alternate routes, timings or vehicle options so that business doesn’t suffer when Stage 3 or 4 kicks in.

Stage 3 – “Severe” air quality: Strict rules for vehicles & construction

At Stage 3, AQI is in the “severe” category. This is when the public really starts feeling the impact – smoggy mornings, irritation in eyes & throat and visibility issues. Authorities respond with strong, time–bound restrictions.

Typical measures (exact details can change year to year based on CAQM orders) include:

• Ban on many categories of construction & demolition work that generate dust.
• Restrictions on older commercial vehicles and heavy goods carriers entering Delhi, except those transporting essential commodities.
• More frequent checking of diesel vehicles and heavy fines for missing PUC or visible smoke.
• Suspension of some industrial activities using polluting fuels in NCR.

For vehicle owners, Stage 3 often means:

• Planning deliveries and goods movement outside peak enforcement hours where possible.
• Keeping backup options ready – e.g. CNG vehicles, rented BS–6 trucks, or intra–city instead of inter–state movement.
• Checking the latest CAQM and Transport Department notifications before sending trucks towards Delhi.

Private car owners should avoid unnecessary trips and keep children & elderly away from long road journeys during Stage 3 days.

Stage 4 – “Severe+” air quality: Emergency–level measures

Stage 4 is activated when AQI stays in the “severe+” category for several days. This is treated almost like a health emergency.

Depending on the year and situation, the government may introduce:

• Temporary ban on entry of most outside trucks into Delhi, except essential services.
• Stopping many construction activities completely in Delhi–NCR.
• Additional restrictions on certain vehicle categories as per the latest CAQM orders.
• Possible odd–even style traffic management if authorities feel it’s needed.

And when air improves, Stage 4 can also get lifted/relaxed — which is exactly when many people ask, “Can I drive this vehicle again?” These explainers are helpful: Hindustan Times: GRAP-IV lifted — can BS4 petrol run? and NDTV Auto: GRAP-4 curbs end — vehicle entry clarity.

If you operate:

• A fleet of cabs / commercial vehicles
• Goods carriers transporting material in or out of Delhi
• Construction–linked vehicles like RMC transit mixers, dumpers, cranes, etc.

you must track GRAP updates daily and stay in touch with your RTO agent or compliance partner. Wrong planning in Stage 4 can mean vehicles getting stopped at borders, challans, or delayed deliveries – all of which hit your business.

How to avoid pollution challans & penalties during GRAP

The good news – most GRAP–related challans can be easily avoided if you stay a little organised. Here is a simple checklist for Delhi–NCR vehicle owners:

• Always keep PUC updated: Don’t wait for the last day. Get it renewed a few days in advance.
• Save soft copies of RC, insurance and DL on DigiLocker or m-Parivahan apps.
• Service your vehicle before winter: Clean air filters, check engine oil, fix any smoke issues.
• Check GRAP stage in the news before sending vehicles towards Delhi border or high–sensitivity zones.
• Avoid tampered or fancy number plates – ANPR cameras read them and enforcement becomes stricter in GRAP months.
• Train drivers about basic GRAP rules so they don’t argue with enforcement staff on the road.

To understand why PUC compliance becomes a “top priority” during GRAP, you can also refer to reported enforcement data on challans/fines during GRAP checks: NDTV report on GRAP checks and fines.

For fleet owners and logistics companies, it is wise to maintain a small compliance calendar – a simple Excel or WhatsApp note listing PUC, fitness and insurance expiry dates of all vehicles.

How Fateh Legacy helps Delhi–NCR vehicle owners during GRAP

GRAP rules keep changing through the season – and most people do not have time to read every government notification. That’s where Fateh Legacy can make things easy for you.

With Fateh Legacy, you get:

• Guidance on latest GRAP notifications and how they affect your specific vehicle type.
• End–to–end assistance for RC transfer, NOC, hypothecation removal, duplicate RC, permits and more.
• Support for individual owners, small fleets and companies operating across Delhi, Gurugram, Noida and other NCR cities.

If you have any doubt about whether your vehicle can legally run during the current GRAP stage, simply share your RC details with us – our team will guide you on the safest and fastest way forward.