Authorities have rolled back the stringent Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, a decision met with strong disapproval from environmental experts. The move comes at a time when the region’s air quality index (AQI) continues to languish in the ‘very poor’ category, marking 21 consecutive days with readings above the 300 mark. This relaxation permits construction work to resume and allows older diesel vehicles, specifically BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles, to return to circulation.
The decision persists even though air quality forecasts predict the AQI will remain in the ‘very poor’ range for the foreseeable future. On Wednesday, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI was reported at 327, a slight dip but still well within unhealthy levels. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) cited a marginal improvement over recent days and the implementation of its revised GRAP framework as reasons for lifting the curbs. However, prominent figures in the field disagree. Mukesh Khare, an air pollution expert associated with IIT Delhi, criticized the timing, calling the decision ‘illogical’ and stating that minor fluctuations in AQI do not justify easing restrictions during the critical winter months of November, December, and January. He believes the measures were lifted ‘too early and too quickly.’ Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha expressed frustration, suggesting the CAQM should be disbanded, highlighting the continued high pollution levels recorded by numerous monitoring stations.
The lifting of Stage 3 restrictions will have an immediate impact on the National Capital Region. Key measures relaxed include the ban on non-essential construction and demolition projects and the restriction on plying certain older vehicles. The mandate for offices to operate at 50% work-from-home capacity and for schools to adopt a hybrid learning model, recently enacted under the revised GRAP, has also been rescinded. This move by the CAQM, aimed at being more proactive in pollution control as suggested by the Supreme Court, appears to contradict scientific data and public health imperatives. Residents’ welfare associations had, in fact, been advocating for even stricter measures, including temporary market closures and free public transport. Adding to the concerns are ongoing questions about the reliability of data from Delhi’s air monitoring network, with reports of data gaps during critical pollution episodes. Nevertheless, the CAQM has instructed all implementing agencies to maintain and intensify measures under Stage 1 and Stage 2 to prevent air quality from deteriorating back into the ‘severe’ category.
