Strict Pollution Curbs Under GRAP-4 Lifted In Delhi As Air Quality Improves

Delhi has removed GRAP-4 conditions on controlling air pollution a week after imposing it due to the worsening situation.

The Graded Response Action Plan's (GRAP) sub-committee in a meeting today said air quality in the Delhi region has improved.

"AQI of Delhi has shown significant improvement since yesterday night owing to high winds and favourable meteorological conditions," the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said in a statement today.

It said the AQI "has been recorded as 271 ('poor' category) on Wednesday." However, it also pointed out a new concern - "air quality forecast provided by IMD/IITM suggests an increase in AQI of Delhi due to slower winds in coming days."

The CAQM imposed GRAP-4 after AQI breached 450, which meant air quality was "severe-plus". All actions under GRAP 1 to 3 will remain effective, it said.

Older vehicles which went off the road due to conditions imposed by GRAP-4 can return to the roads in Delhi now. The Delhi government had also made it a must for schools to hold classes until Class 11 (except Class 10) in hybrid mode - both physical and online.

GRAP-1 restrictions come into force when the AQI is between 201 and 300 (which is categorised as 'Poor'), GRAP-2 restrictions when it is between 301 and 400 ('Very Poor'), and GRAP-3 between 401 and 450 ('Severe').

Delhi's decision to allow only Bharat Stage (BS) 6 vehicles to enter the national capital had blocked at least 1.2 million older vehicles registered outside from entering the city.

According to Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, only BS-6 vehicles from outside Delhi will be allowed to enter Delhi while GRAP-3 and -4 are in effect.

Vehicles without a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate can't get oil at fuel stations.

Vehicular emissions are a major contributor to Delhi's toxic air, especially in winter months when cold weather traps smog close to the ground. Experts estimate that vehicles account for up to 40 per cent of particulate pollution in the NCR, particularly in densely travelled corridors. By restricting higher-emitting vehicles, authorities hope to reduce the pollution load and safeguard public health.