New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi showed slight improvement on Sunday, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to decide against imposing stricter curbs under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for now.
The CAQM sub-committee reviewed the air quality situation after Delhi’s daily average AQI remained at the higher end of the “very poor” category in the morning. The panel noted that the hourly average AQI, which stood at 391 at 10 am, improved to 370 by 4 pm and further to 365 by 5 pm.
Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicated that air quality is likely to remain in the “very poor” category over the coming days. Considering the improving trend, the sub-committee decided that Stage 3 restrictions would not be invoked, and current measures under Stages 1 and 2 will continue across Delhi and the National Capital Region.
The panel confirmed it is closely monitoring the situation and will review the air quality scenario as required.
Stage 3 restrictions under GRAP include a ban on non-essential construction work, hybrid-mode classes for students up to grade V, and restrictions on the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles, with exemptions for persons with disabilities.
During winter, Delhi-NCR enforces GRAP restrictions as air quality worsens due to vehicle emissions, stubble burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources. GRAP classifies air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor, AQI 201–300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301–400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401–450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).
With PTI inputs