Delhi Air Pollution: Curbs Under GRAP Stage 3 Revoked As AQI Improves

The Commission for Air Quality Management on Sunday announced roll-back of anti-pollution curbs under Stage 3 of Graded Response Action Plan as air quality improved in Delhi and nearby areas.

The air quality of Delhi has been continuously improving due to favourable weather conditions and better wind speed, the central panel said in a statement. The Air Quality Index in the city has been recorded as 339 at 4:00 p.m. and 335 at 5:00 p.m., it said adding that forecast indicates the levels will further go down to 'poor category' from 'severe'.

Considering this, the panel decided to revoke the order imposing GRAP Stage 3 restrictions in Delhi-NCR, the statement read.

However, actions under Stage 1 and 2 of the revised GRAP rules will remain in place , to ensure that air quality levels do not worsen further. The panel urged citizens to adhere to the restrictions for this.

Construction and demolition projects, which have been issued closed on specific orders due to violations of various statutory directions, rules, guidelines, etc. cannot resume operations without any specific order to this effect, CAQM said.

With GRAP Stage 3 restrictions revoked, schools can resume offline classes up to Grade V, instead of running classes in mandatory hybrid mode.

Personal four-wheelers with BS-III and BS-IV certification can now ply on Delhi streets. Diesel operated medium goods carriers with BS-IV certification can now enter Delhi for non-essential purposes.