New Delhi: With the improvement of air quality in Delhi-NCR, the commission for air quality management (CAQM) has decided to roll back the Stage-3 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As per the official report on Sunday, Stage I and Stage 2 protocols will remain active. STAGE-3 has been removed after the assessment made by the sub-committee’s air quality data and IMD/IITM forecasts.
The AQI in the national capital has been on the trend of improvement due to drizzle and a blow of wind speed in several parts of the city. The AQI recorded at 339 at 4:00 pm on Sunday. Although the air quality of the city is still in the ‘poor’ category, improvement is on the cards. IMD/IITM forecasts that Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain in the ‘poor’ category instead of ‘severe’ in the coming days. Previously, STAGE-3 was removed on December 27 in Delhi-NCR.
Under the restrictions of STAGE-3, prohibitions will continue on non-essential constructions; classes up to grade 5 are to be run in hybrid mode, meaning there will be options for online classes. It also restricts the entry of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and NCR’. Besides this, it also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
Earlier, the Supreme Court ordered the implementation of GRAP Stage III when AQI crosses 350 marks and Stage IV when it exceeds 400. Both Stage 3 and 4 were endorsed on December 16, 2024, when the AQI of Delhi touched at 401.
