The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked the restrictions imposed under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR as the air quality has improved from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ category. The decision was taken by the CAQM’s sub-committee on Thursday, November 18, 2023, after reviewing the prevailing trend of air quality and the forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
Stage 4 of GRAP is the highest level of emergency measures that are implemented when the air quality index (AQI) crosses 450 in the region. The CAQM had invoked Stage 4 on November 5, 2023, after the AQI reached 447 in Delhi-NCR due to the combined effect of stubble burning, unfavourable weather conditions, and increased vehicular and industrial emissions.
The measures under Stage 4 included a ban on the entry of trucks (except for those carrying essential commodities), a ban on the use of diesel four-wheelers that are not BS-VI compliant, and a closure of all industries (except those running on natural gas or electricity) in Delhi-NCR. The CAQM had also ordered the closure of primary schools and the suspension of outdoor activities for students till November 8, 2023.
However, with the improvement in the air quality in the past few days, the CAQM has decided to lift the Stage 4 curbs with immediate effect. The CAQM said that there is a likelihood of sustaining the improvement in AQI as the preventive, mitigative, and restrictive actions under stages I to III of GRAP are still underway. The CAQM also said that the forecast by IMD and IITM does not indicate any steep degradation in the air quality in the near future.
The CAQM has asked all the agencies concerned to implement, monitor, and review the actions under stages I to III of GRAP to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further to the ‘severe’ category. The actions under these stages include increasing the frequency of public transport, enhancing parking fees, stopping the use of diesel generators, intensifying mechanised sweeping and sprinkling of water on roads, and enforcing dust control measures at construction sites.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI of Delhi-NCR was 339 at 4 pm on Thursday, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category. The AQI of Delhi-NCR was 381 on Wednesday and 447 on Friday last week. The CAQM has appealed to the public to cooperate with the authorities and follow the guidelines issued by them to combat air pollution in the region.