The Center has lifted Stage-III restrictions of GRAP across the entire NCR due to improved air quality. This decision allows the resumption of normal operations for BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar. The Transport Department of the Delhi government is expected to issue an official order.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), responsible for pollution control strategies, made this decision in light of the noticeable enhancement in Delhi-NCR’s overall air quality. According to the India Meteorological Department/Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the air quality forecast does not predict a shift to the “severe” category in the coming days.
The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the city, recorded at 4 pm daily, improved from 395 on Monday to 312 on Tuesday. Considering the disruptive impact of Stage-III restrictions on various stakeholders and the public, along with the significant AQI improvement, the GRAP Sub-Committee unanimously decided to revoke Stage-III of GRAP in the entire NCR immediately.
However, measures under Stages-I to Stage-II of GRAP will continue to be enforced and monitored to prevent a deterioration of AQI to the ‘Severe’ category. Construction and demolition sites, as well as industrial units with specific closure orders due to violations, must not resume operations without commission approval. This decision follows the November 18 revocation of Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR as air quality improved.