Delhi Air Quality update: GRAP 3 curbs revoked as AQI improves to…; will Work-From-Home continue? All you need to know
GRAP-3 curbs were revoked in Delhi as air quality improved on Thursday.
Delhi Air Quality update: In a major relief for Delhiites, the air quality in the Delhi-NCR (National Capital Region) witnessed a significant improvement on Wednesday, resulting in the city government revoking GRAP-3 restrictions in the national capital.
Why GRAP-3 restrictions were revoked?
In a statement, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said GRAP-3 curbs in Delhi have been revoked as AQI levels in the NCR saw a marked improvement. “I want to inform all Delhi residents that, as per the CAQM order, the GRAP-3 restrictions in Delhi have now been lifted, and GRAP-2 is in effect in the capital,” he said, adding that GRAP Stage-2 will now be applicable across the city.
According to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), air quality across Delhi-NCR has shown improvement in the last three days, due to which it has revoked Stage-3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The CAQM’s order said the Sub-Committee on the GRAP reviewed the air quality situation and noted the recent improvement, leading to the withdrawal of the November 11 directions that had triggered the Stage-3 measures.
However, restrictions under the revised GRAP Stage-1 and Stage-2, will remain in force, and will be strictly monitored to ensure air quality does not deteriorate in Delhi-NCR.
Meanwhile, Delhi logged a 24-hour average Air Quality index (AQI) of 327, while forecasts by the India(BHARAT) Meteorological Department (IMD) and India(BHARAT)n Institute of Tropical Meteorology have suggested that air quality in the capital city will remain in the “very poor” category in the coming days.
Will Work-From-Home continue in Delhi?
According to Manjinder Singh Sirsa, following the revocation of GRAP-3 curbs, the government has decided to discontinue the 50 percent work-from-home (WFH) system mandated for private and government offices in Delhi, while the hybrid mode of classes being followed by schools has also been discontinued.
“Under this, the 50% work-from-home arrangement in offices has been discontinued, and the hybrid mode currently running in schools has also been shut down,” the minister wrote on X.
On Monday, the Delhi government had ordered all government and private offices in the capital city to operate with 50 percent staff in office, while half of the staff-strength must be allowed to work from home, as mandated under GRAP-3 restrictions.
What restrictions are imposed under GRAP-3?
GRAP-3 restrictions are imposed in the Delhi-NCR region when air quality deteriorates to the ‘very poor’ category or beyond. Under Stage 3 of GRAP, all non-essential construction work is banned, while schools are required to shift classes up to grade V to hybrid mode, and parents and students have the option to choose online education wherever available, and offices may operate with 50 percent staff in Delhi-NCR.
GRAP-III restricts the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) in Delhi and nearby NCR districts. However, persons with disabilities are exempt from these restrictions.
During winters, the Delhi-NCR region enforces restrictions under GRAP, which categorises air quality into four stages — Stage I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Stage II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Stage III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage IV (Severe Plus, AQI above 450).
Unfavourable meteorological conditions, combined with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources, lead to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during winters.
Will construction work resume in Delhi?
As per the CAQM order, construction and demolition sites that were closed due to violations will not be allowed to resume work unless specifically permitted by the commission. The CAQM has directed all implementing agencies to maintain strict vigilance and intensify actions under Stage-1 and Stage-2, it said.
Notably, under GRAP-3, all non-essential construction and demolition work as well as stone crushing and mining activities are banned.
CAQM said the BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will continue to be restricted in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida and Greater Noida).
Earlier, CAQM announced revised a GRAP schedule for Delhi-NCR, allowing stricter curbs to be imposed in lower stages with an aim to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.
(With PTI inputs)
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