Anti-pollution curbs under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) were revoked in Delhi and its neighbouring areas today amid a dip in air pollution levels. The curbs have been eased further a day after the centre's panel on Delhi-NCR's air quality rolled back GRAP-4.
The relaxation means that BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars can again enter Delhi-NCR roads.
GRAP-3 was withdrawn after the Air Quality Index or AQI of Delhi was recorded as 289 - 61 points below the benchmark set by the Supreme Court for invoking Stage-III - on Friday, said the Commission for Air Quality Management or CAQM.
The curbs under GRAP-3 and 4 were reimposed on January 15 after the air quality index touched the 'severe' mark.
Stage-IV was revoked amid a dip in pollution levels following a spell of rain in the region and the air quality improved further today amid strong winds.
The ban has also been lifted on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles with BS-IV or older standards in Delhi.
GRAP-3 also entails a ban on non-essential construction work and Classes up to grade 5 are required to shift to hybrid mode.
Classes up to grade 5 are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. Parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available.
After revoking GRAP-4 on Thursday, GRAP-3 was continued "only as a matter of precaution, considering the uncertainties in the model predictions and abrupt fluctuations in the meteorological factors," the panel said.
Air quality dips to hazardous levels in Delhi and nearby areas during winter due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources.
India's demographic health survey 2019-21 reveals that 13 per cent of children were born prematurely, and 17 per cent with a low weight at birth, with air pollution contributing to the adverse birth outcomes.
The city recorded a minimum temperature of 25.2 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, with the weather office predicting light to moderate rain.
Cloud seeding is generally considered moderately effective, with studies and real-world programmes showing it can increase rainfall under the right conditions.
Paris has traded automotive routes for bike lanes, adding green spaces and eliminating 50,000 parking spaces.
In a first for the national capital, Delhi is set to witness artificial rain aimed at reducing air pollution, with cloud seeding scheduled between July 4 and 11, subject to weather conditions, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
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