Delhi Pollution Today: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday withdrew Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR following a significant improvement in air quality. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped from 380 in the ‘very poor’ category yesterday to 230 in the ‘poor’ category at 5 pm today.
Accordingly, the CAQM sub-committee lifted all measures under GRAP Stage III across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect. However, restrictions under GRAP Stages I and II will continue to remain in force to closely monitor and control pollution levels.
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"The AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 380 on Thursday, has significantly improved and recorded 236 at 4 pm on Friday, exhibiting a trend. Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to revoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-3 of the extant GRAP, with immediate effect, in the entire NCR," an official told PTI.
These GRAP-III restrictions have been lifted:
1. Ban on non-essential construction and demolition activities.
2. Ban on mining, stone crushing, and crusher units.
3. Ban on the use of diesel generator sets in the NCR (except for emergency services).
4. Ban on the movement of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers.
5. Mandatory additional mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on roads.
These GRAP-I and GRAP-II restrictions will remain in effect:
GRAP-I restrictions:
1. Regular mechanical sweeping and water sprinkling on roads.
2. Complete ban on the burning of waste.
3. Strict enforcement against keeping construction materials in the open.
4. Ban on the use of coal and wood in hotels and restaurants.
5. Increased deployment of traffic police to reduce traffic congestion.
GRAP-II restrictions:
1. Ban on the entry of trucks into the NCR from other states (except for those carrying essential goods).
2. Strict enforcement on the use of diesel generators.
3. Increased parking fees to discourage the use of private vehicles.
4. Increased monitoring for dust control on roads.
5. Strict action against polluting industries.
The administration has appealed to the public to follow pollution control regulations and avoid unnecessary pollution so that the improving trend in air quality continues.
CPCB Data
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi continued to battle toxic air as its 24-hour average AQI remained alarmingly high at 380, placing the capital in the ‘very poor’ category. Air quality readings from across the city showed that 26 monitoring stations logged ‘very poor’ levels, while 11 stations slipped into the ‘severe’ range. Anand Vihar emerged as the pollution hotspot, recording the highest AQI at 423.