Delhi's Air Quality Shows Improvement: CAQM Postpones Stage 3 Restrictions

Classes up to grade V are required to shift to hybrid mode under Stage 3. (Representational)

New Delhi:

Delhi's air quality showed notable improvement on Sunday, leading the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to hold off on implementing stricter Stage 3 restrictions for the time being.

The CAQM's sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) convened in the evening to assess air quality conditions after Delhi's daily average AQI remained in the upper range of the "very poor" category during the morning hours.

According to the commission, Delhi's hourly average Air Quality Index registered 391 at 10 am before improving to 370 by 4 pm and further decreasing to 365 by 5 pm.

Predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that overall air quality will likely remain within the "very poor" category in the upcoming days.

Given this improving trend and current forecasts, the sub-committee determined there was no immediate necessity to implement Stage 3 restrictions under GRAP, deciding instead that existing measures under Stages 1 and 2 would continue throughout the National Capital Region.

The commission stated it continues to monitor the situation closely and will reassess the air quality scenario as necessary.

Under GRAP Stage 3, non-essential construction work faces prohibition.

Educational institutions up to grade V must transition to hybrid learning modes when Stage 3 is activated.

Both parents and students retain the option to select online education where such facilities are available.

Stage 3 restrictions also limit the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles (4-wheelers) in Delhi and surrounding NCR districts, though persons with disabilities receive exemptions.

During winter months, the Delhi-NCR region implements GRAP restrictions, which classify air quality into four progressive 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 exceeding 450).

The combination of unfavorable weather conditions with vehicle emissions, paddy-straw burning, firecracker use, and various local pollution sources creates hazardous air quality levels throughout Delhi-NCR during winter seasons.