The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked GRAP III restrictions in Delhi on Wednesday, after air quality in the national capital marginally improved during the last three days. Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were imposed in Delhi on November 11, after the air quality severely deteriorated in the national capital.
According to CAQM, air quality in Delhi stood at 327 on Wednesday and it was categorised as 'very poor'. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology suggest that the air will remain in the "very poor" category.
However, the air quality monitoring body maintained curbs under Stage I and Stage II of the modified GRAP will continue. Authorities said they will strictly monitor the implementation of GRAP restrictions in the national capital to ensure pollution levels do not deteriorate further in Delhi.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, "GRAP-III has been withdrawn. Now, only GRAP II restrictions will be applicable to Delhi."
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"With the withdrawal of the Stage III measures, the 50 per cent work-from-home system mandated for offices has been discontinued, and the hybrid mode of classes being followed by schools has also been revoked," Sirsa said in a post on X.
According to CAQM's order, the construction and demolition sites that were closed due to violations will not be allowed to resume activities.
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
