Delhi’s Air Quality Rises, CAQM Scales Back GRAP Measures
New Delhi: Delhi stepped back from an air-pollution emergency today as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) improved sharply to 271, placing it in the “Poor” category.
The rollback followed a review by CAQM’s Sub-Committee on GRAP, which noted that air quality had improved significantly since Monday night, aided by favourable meteorological conditions, particularly higher wind speeds. Stage-IV had been imposed on December 13, when Delhi’s average AQI breached the 450 mark and entered the “Severe Plus” category, triggering the harshest emergency restrictions.
With the revocation of Stage-IV, the most disruptive curbs have been lifted with immediate effect. These include the blanket ban on the entry of non-essential trucks into Delhi, which had disrupted supply chains, and the region-wide suspension of construction and demolition activity, except for a limited list of essential projects. Emergency-level curbs on certain industrial and infrastructure activities and the strictest restrictions on diesel generator sets have also been withdrawn.
However, authorities have stressed that the easing does not amount to a return to normal conditions. All measures under GRAP Stages I, II and III continue to remain in force across the NCR, and agencies have been directed to intensify enforcement to prevent a rapid rebound in pollution levels.
Under the continuing stages, construction and demolition activity is permitted only with strict dust-control measures, including covering of materials, on-site dust suppression, mechanised sweeping and close monitoring. Industrial units and thermal power plants must adhere to tighter emission norms, while the use of diesel generator sets remains prohibited except for essential and emergency services such as hospitals, railways, Metro operations and airports.
Vehicle restrictions remain a key component of Stage-III enforcement. Under GRAP Stage-III, which applies during “Severe” air quality conditions, there is a blanket ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles in Delhi-NCR, except for vehicles engaged in essential or emergency services. In addition, diesel light commercial vehicles, medium goods vehicles and heavy goods vehicles not carrying essential commodities continue to face entry and operational restrictions. These measures remain applicable because Stage-III is still in force, even though Stage-IV has been lifted.
Over-aged vehicles—diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years—remain prohibited from plying under existing court and regulatory orders, with intensified checks during GRAP implementation. Vehicles found visibly emitting smoke continue to be penalised and removed from the roads.
BS-VI vehicles, which comply with the latest emission standards, face no restrictions under the current GRAP stages. Authorities have also clarified that measures such as odd-even traffic restrictions are not in force at present, as these are typically considered only under the most severe pollution scenarios.
Construction and demolition sites that were shut down due to specific violations or non-compliance with statutory environmental norms will not be allowed to resume operations automatically. Such sites can reopen only after receiving explicit clearance from CAQM.
The Commission said its decision balanced public health concerns with the economic and social disruption caused by prolonged emergency measures. Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicate that Delhi’s AQI is likely to fluctuate between the “Poor” and “Very Poor” categories in the coming days, a range that still warrants caution during the winter season, when weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly.
Citizens have been urged to continue following the GRAP citizen charter, including minimising private vehicle use, avoiding waste burning and complying with dust-control norms. The Sub-Committee said it would continue to closely monitor air quality trends and meteorological forecasts and review the situation periodically to determine whether further action, including re-imposition of Stage-IV, becomes necessary.
In effect, while Delhi has stepped back from its most severe air-pollution emergency, strict pollution controls remain firmly in place, with Stage-III vehicle bans and other preventive measures continuing to define daily life in the capital region.
– global bihari bureau
