The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) sub-committee has decided to revoke Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR with immediate effect. This decision comes in response to an improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI), with the AQI recorded at 316, 85 points below the threshold for invoking GRAP Stage III actions (Delhi AQI 401-450). The move follows a recent reimposition of GRAP Stage III restrictions amid worsening air quality earlier this week.
GRAP Stage III involved a complete halt on construction and demolition work, except for essential government projects, along with restrictions on mining, stone crushing, and a ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and surrounding areas. The decision to revoke Stage III reflects a positive trend in AQI and forecasts that indicate the likelihood of sustained improvement in the coming days.
The CAQM stated in a release, “Preventive/mitigative/restrictive actions under all Stages up to Stage III are underway, and there is a likelihood of sustaining the improvement in AQI.” The AQI in Delhi has been progressively improving, and the sub-committee noted that the forecast by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) does not indicate any significant deterioration.
While Stage III measures have been revoked, actions under Stage I to Stage II of the GRAP will remain in place and be implemented, monitored, and reviewed by all concerned agencies in the entire National Capital Region (NCR). The agencies will maintain strict vigilance and intensify measures under Stage I and II of GRAP to prevent a return to Stage III actions if the AQI level further slips into the ‘Severe’ category.
The CAQM emphasized that construction and development project sites and industrial units with specific closure orders due to violations or non-compliances must not resume operations without a specific order from the commission. The sub-committee will closely monitor air quality and make decisions based on real-time AQI recordings and forecasts provided by IMD/IITM.
The imposition and revocation of GRAP Stage III measures are responsive to the fluctuating air quality in the region. Stage III measures were first enforced on November 3 when the AQI surpassed 400 for the first time in winter. The restrictions were lifted on November 29 after 27 days when the AQI fell below the 300-mark following rain. The second spell of Stage III measures was implemented on December 22, lifted on January 1, and now, revoked again as part of ongoing efforts to balance environmental regulations with improving air quality.