On Monday, the Commission for Air Quality Management decided to lift the Stage 2 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after air pollution levels improved due to favorable meteorological conditions.
At 4 pm, Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 186, well below the 300 threshold that triggers Stage 2 measures. Meteorologists from the India Meteorological Department and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology predict that the capital’s AQI is expected to remain within the moderate to poor range.
With the revocation of Stage 2 restrictions, several activities will no longer be restricted. This includes the use of coal and firewood in Delhi-NCR, allowing tandoors at restaurants and hotels, and the operation of diesel generators. Additionally, construction and demolition work, as well as industrial units, will be allowed to resume. Inter-state buses traveling from NCR states are now also allowed to enter Delhi.
To combat dust pollution, measures like mechanized road sweeping, the use of anti-smog guns, and daily water sprinkling will be implemented, focusing particularly on air pollution hotspots. Power suppliers have been instructed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity, which will help reduce the reliance on diesel generator sets.
During the winter months, Delhi-NCR enforces GRAP restrictions, categorizing 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).
Winter air quality issues in the region are often worsened by unfavorable weather conditions, vehicle emissions, crop residue burning, the use of firecrackers, and other local sources of pollution.
