The Delhi government has revoked curbs under Stage IV of GRAP as the air quality level in the national capital improved marginally from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ category. The decision was taken by the Commission for Air Quality.
The commission withdrew the restrictions under GRAP Stage IV after it monitored that the Air Quality Index (AQI) did not slip further in the past few days.
Restrictions under Stage IV include the prohibition of polluting vehicles and construction activities in the city.
Earlier in November, the commission banned entry of heavy diesel-based commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi in the national capital region after a Supreme Court directive after the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to the ‘Severe+’ category (AQI >450).
However, restrictions under Stages-I to Stage-III of the GRAP shall remain invoked and be implemented, as the current air quality in the Delhi-NCR area stands in the ‘very poor’ category.
The air quality on Saturday stood at 317 at 4 pm, improving from 405 on Friday. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (274), Gurugram (346), Greater Noida (258), Noida (285) and Faridabad (328) also recorded “very poor” to “severe” air quality today.
The relatively better air quality last weekend was attributed to rain. Air pollution levels surged in the following days due to intense firecrackers bursting on Diwali night and a resurgence in stubble burning in the neighbouring states.
These effects were compounded by unfavourable meteorological conditions, primarily calm winds and low temperatures, hindering the dispersion of pollutants.