The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted the GRAP-4 restrictions in Delhi on Thursday as the air quality in the national capital improved. However, GRAP Stage-3 curbs remain in effect. On Thursday, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 301, lower than the 386 recorded on Wednesday.
“CAQM sub-committee on GRAP… straightaway invoked both Stage-III and Stage-IV of revised GRAP when the AQI of Delhi breached the 350 mark… as the AQI of the day for yesterday recorded 386 and started to exhibit a sharp increasing trend, indicating a possibility to even breach the 400 mark,” the CAQM said in its latest statement.
GRAP Stage-4 restrictions had been imposed after Delhi’s air quality turned ‘severe’. In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government also instructed schools to hold hybrid classes for students in grades 9-12.
What Are GRAP Stage-3 restrictions In Delhi?
Under GRAP Stage-3, The following Restrictions Are Imposed In Delhi:
- Non-essential construction work is banned.
- The movement of non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards is restricted in Delhi.
- The use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is also limited in Delhi and the surrounding NCR districts.
- Classes up to grade V must switch to hybrid mode, with parents and students having the option to choose online education where available.
GRAP Stage
As per reports, The CAQM enforces various GRAP restrictions in the Delhi-NCR region during the winter months to address rising air pollution. The stages are as follows, based on the AQI:
- ‘Poor’ AQI (201-300) – GRAP Stage 1
- ‘Very Poor’ AQI (301-400) – GRAP Stage 2
- ‘Severe’ AQI (401-450) – GRAP Stage 3
- ‘Severe Plus’ AQI (above 450) – GRAP Stage 4
