CAQM revokes GRAP III measures in Delhi-NCR as air quality improves

The pollution monitoring body said that measures under Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the revised GRAP, issued on November 21, will stay in force and be closely monitored to prevent any further worsening

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The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday lifted Stage 3 measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi–NCR following three days of improved air quality.

 

It added that measures under Grap 1 and Grap 2 will stay in force and be closely monitored to prevent any further worsening of pollution levels.

 

Delhi's 24-hour average Air Quality index (AQI) stood at 327 on Wednesday, which falls under the 'very poor' category. "The forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predicts the AQI to remain in very poor category in coming days," the CAQM said.

 

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also said that measures under GRAP Stage-2 will now be applicable across the city.

 

With the withdrawal of the Stage-3 measures, the 50 per cent work-from-home system mandated for offices has been discontinued and the hybrid mode of classes being followed by schools has also been revoked, Sirsa said in a post on X.

 

What’s allowed and what’s restricted under the revised GRAP measures?

The CAQM earlier this week had revised its GRAP measures for Delhi-NCR, shifting actions earlier listed under Stage 3 to Stage 2 to prevent any further deterioration in the capital’s air quality. As a result of the modification, the measures that will now be implemented under Stage 2 include:

 

Prohibition of non-essential construction and demolition, along with stone crushing and mining. However, the Commission clarified that construction and demolition sites that were closed due to violations will not be allowed to resume work unless specifically permitted.

 

BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel four-wheelers are barred from operating in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Old diesel-run goods vehicles are also not allowed to enter Delhi.

 

The Delhi government and NCR state governments are required to stagger timings of public offices and municipal bodies. It also states the Centre may take a decision to stagger the timing of Central government offices in Delhi-NCR.