The Centre’s air quality panel on Friday revoked GRAP-3 restrictions amid decrease in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. This comes as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) decided to remove Stage III (‘Severe’ Air Quality) actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and intensify actions under Stage I and II with immediate effect.
“As per the air quality and weather forecast provided by IMD/IITM, there is a likelihood of AQI to remain in lower end of the Very Poor category in the coming days owing to the favourable meteorological conditions and strong wind speeds,” CAQM said in a statement.
“Construction and demolition project sites, etc. which have been issued specific closure orders on account of violations/non-compliances of various statutory directions, rules, guidelines, etc. under no circumstances shall resume their operations without any specific order to this effect from the Commission,” the statement added.
Curbs under GRAP-3
Classes up to grade 5 are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available.
Under Stage 3, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. Persons with disabilities are exempt. Stage 3 also bans non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorizes air quality into four stages – Stage 1 (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
(With inputs from PTI)
