As the quality of air improved in the national capital, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) sub-committee revoked Stage III of GRAP in the entire Delhi-NCR with immediate effect.
GRAP stage III involved a complete halt on construction and demolition work except for essential government projects, mining and stone crushing and ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles in Delhi and surrounding areas
On Thursday, the Central government lifted a ban on non-essential construction work and plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR amid an improvement in air quality in the region. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noted a significant improvement with an AQI of 316 at 2 pm, well below the threshold for invoking Stage-III actions under the air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan.
According to PTI, preventive measures are in place and the forecast suggests further improvement, said the statutory body responsible for forming air pollution reduction strategies for the region and their implementation.
However, Stage I to Stage II actions remain in effect to prevent a shift to the 'severe' category. The Stage III restrictions were activated on Sunday after air quality plummeted to 'severe plus' levels. The curbs include a ban on non-essential construction work and the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the region.
GRAP is the Centre's air pollution control plan implemented in the region during the winter season. It categorises actions 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' (when AQI is more than 450).