The Commission for Air Quality management (CAQM) on Tuesday evening issued an order to revoke the restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan(GRAP) stage- III, after an improvement witnessed in the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city which was recorded at 312.

“While comprehensively analyzing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee observed that yesterday (i.e. 27.11.2023), Delhi’s average AQI clocked 395, which has been progressively improving since late evening of 27.11.2023. Further, the air quality forecasts by IMD/ IITM also do not indicate the average air quality of Delhi to move to ‘Severe’ category in the coming days for which forecast is available.

“Therefore, keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public as well as considering the significant improvement in the average AQI of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee for operationalization of actions under GRAP unanimously decided to roll back Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect, ” an official statement said.

However, the Centre’s air monitoring body for Delhi- NCR has said that restrictions under the GRAP stage- I and II will remain in force and has asked the agencies responsible for implementing  various actions listed under the said stages so that the need to re- impose stage- III can be avoided.

The CAQM has also urged the citizens to follow and implement the restrictions under stage- I and II of the anti pollution plan GRAP.

“Actions under Stages-I to Stage-II of the GRAP shall however remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all implementing agencies concerned in the entire NCR and agencies shall keep strict vigil and especially intensify measures under Stage-l & II of GRAP in order to obviate the implementation of Stage-lll of GRAP actions owing to AQI level further slipping into ‘severe’ Category,”  CAQM order said.

‘C&D project sites and industrial units 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 order read further stressing on the Construction and Demolition sites.

The CAQM) on Tuesday held a review meeting on the current air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD and  IITM to take a call on the actions under the GRAP- III, which was in force since November 2 across the entire NCR region.

‘The Sub-Committee shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and may take appropriate decisions depending on the air quality, as recorded from time to time, and the forecasts made by IMD/IITM to this effect, ” the statement read further.

Delhi’s  overall AQI  has improved from the levels of 395 recorded on Monday, and has been recorded as 312 at 4 pm on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, GRAP- III restrictions also included ban on BS- III petrol and BS- IV diesel cars from plying on the roads, and with its revocation, the cars may be back on roads soon.