Delhi Reverses Pollution Control Measures, GRAP-4 Lifted While GRAP-3 Remains in Place

New Delhi:

The officials have lifted restrictions due to pollution in Delhi and nearby cities, following light rain that enhanced air quality in the region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) stated today that it has rescinded GRAP-4, a set of guidelines to be adhered to when the air quality index (AQI) surpasses the 400 threshold.

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) level 3 will continue to be enforced.

“The CAQM sub-committee on GRAP… immediately implemented both Stage-III and Stage-IV of the updated GRAP when Delhi’s AQI exceeded 350… as yesterday’s AQI reached 386 and began to show a significant upward trend, indicating a potential breach of the 400 mark,” the CAQM mentioned in the statement.

Today, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 302, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report.

“Based on the dynamic model and forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index provided by IMD/IITM, Delhi’s overall air quality is expected to remain in the lower range of the ‘Very Poor’ category in the upcoming days,” it added.

The GRAP sub-committee stated that it lifted the stage-4 regulations due to their disruptive impact on a large number of stakeholders and the general public.

Restrictions under GRAP-4 include a prohibition on all construction activities, the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and the compulsory transition of school classes, excluding Classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode. Non-essential diesel trucks are barred from entering Delhi, and Delhi-registered BS-4 and older diesel-operated heavy goods vehicles are prohibited, except for essential services, under GRAP-4.