The central government-appointed panel on Delhi-NCR’s air quality on Wednesday removed restrictions that had been put in place under stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to improve air quality in the national capital.
As per the official body this move follows a gradual improvement in overall air quality index (AQI) of the national capital that got lifted to the ‘poor’ from ‘severe‘ category recently.
Air Quality commission’s order
“The Sub-Committee, accordingly, decides to revoke with immediate effect its orders dated 13.12.2025, for invoking actions under Stage-IV (’Severe+’ Air Quality >450) of modified schedule of GRAP,” the order by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) read.
Stage 4 curbs include a ban on all construction activities as well as entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi. The stage 4 regulations included mandatory shifting of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.
‘No PUC, No fuel policy’ to continue
On Tuesday (December 23), Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the Delhi government will continue its ‘No PUC, No fuel’ policy for vehicles even after the GRAP 4 restrictions end.
Non-essential diesel trucks are prohibited from entering Delhi, while Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-run heavy goods vehicles are banned, except for essential services under Stage 4.
