Will GRAP-III curbs be imposed in Delhi? CAQM says Delhi air quality shows…, AQI stands at…

Delhi Air Quality: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided against imposing GRAP-III restrictions in Delhi for now amid a slight improvement in air quality in the national capital on Sunday.

Will GRAP-3 be invoked in Delhi?

On Sunday evening, the CAQM’s sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) met to review Delhi air quality after the city’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) remained at the higher end of the “very poor” category in the morning.

The hourly average AQI in Delhi stood at 391 at 10 am but showed a minor improvement in the evening, dropping to 370 by 4 pm and 365 at 5 pm, the panel noted.

The sub-committee decided not to invoke GRAP-3 measures due to improvement in Delhi’s air quality, and the forecasts made by weather agencies that have predicted the city’s AQI to remain in the “very poor” category for the coming days.

Why Delhi AQI is unlikely to improve in coming days?

The ongoing GRAP-I and GRAP-2 restrictions will remain in force in Delhi until air quality improves, the panel said, adding it is closely monitoring the situation and will review the air quality scenario as and when required.

Notably, the country’s top weather agencies, including the India(BHARAT) Meteorological Department (IMD) and the India(BHARAT)n Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), have forecasted that Delhi air quality is likely to stay in the “very poor” category due to combination of various factors such as stubble burning in nearby states, heavy winter air, and low winds.

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.

GRAP-III restricts the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars (4-wheelers) is restricted 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.

(With PTI inputs)