The Centre’s panel on air quality in Delhi-NCR announced the rollback of Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Friday night, following a decline in pollution levels due to continuous rainfall, as per an official statement.
Delhi’s air quality has shown improvement, with the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) standing at 324 as of 7 pm. Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicate that the air quality is expected to improve further due to favorable weather conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management, responsible for air pollution mitigation in Delhi-NCR, stated that restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 will remain in place.
Stage 3 restrictions included a ban on non-essential construction work in the private sector, a shift to hybrid classes for students up to grade 5, and the option for online education where available. Additionally, the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) was restricted in Delhi and surrounding NCR districts, with exemptions for persons with disabilities. Stage 3 also imposed a ban on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older emissions standards in Delhi.
What’s banned in national capital
The use of coal and firewood remains prohibited across Delhi-NCR, including their use in tandoors at restaurants and hotels. Diesel generator sets are not permitted, except for emergency and essential services as outlined under GRAP Stage 2. Construction and demolition sites, along with industrial units that have been issued specific closure orders, are not allowed to resume operations.