Authorities have controversially lifted Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR, despite the region’s air quality index (AQI) consistently remaining in the ‘very poor’ category. This marks the 21st consecutive day the AQI has surpassed the 300 threshold. The rollback permits the resumption of construction activities and the return of older diesel vehicles, specifically BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles, to the roads. This decision was made even as air quality forecasts predicted the AQI would continue to fluctuate within the ‘very poor’ range in the immediate future.
At the time of the announcement, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 327, a slight improvement but still indicative of unhealthy air. The sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) cited a marginal improvement over the past three days and the recent implementation of its updated GRAP framework as justification. However, environmental experts have voiced strong opposition. Mukesh Khare, an air pollution expert from IIT Delhi, deemed the decision ‘illogical,’ emphasizing that a marginal drop in AQI from 350 to 320 does not warrant such a significant relaxation of measures, especially during the critical winter months. Environmental activist Vimlendu Jha questioned the efficacy of the CAQM itself, pointing to continued severe air quality readings from numerous monitoring stations.
The lifting of Stage 3 curbs will immediately impact daily life and economic activities. Restrictions on non-essential construction and demolition, along with the ban on certain older vehicles, have been removed. This also means the end of the 50% work-from-home mandate for offices and the hybrid model for schools, measures that were only recently reinforced. These actions highlight a divergence between scientific data, public health concerns, and administrative decisions. The Supreme Court had previously urged the CAQM to adopt more proactive pollution control strategies. Meanwhile, residents’ welfare associations had been advocating for even more stringent measures, including temporary market closures. Concerns also persist regarding the reliability of Delhi’s air monitoring network, with reports of data gaps during peak pollution periods. Despite the GRAP Stage 3 withdrawal, the CAQM has directed agencies to maintain vigilance and intensify efforts under Stages 1 and 2 to prevent a resurgence into the ‘severe’ category.