GRAP III restrictions revoked, 50 pc staff cap in offices goes

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR following a steady improvement in Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) over the past few days.

The commission said restrictions under Stage I and II would remain in force and would be intensified. Stage III curbs were imposed on November 11 after Delhi’s average AQI crossed 400.

The CAQM noted that the city’s daily average AQI had been improving for the past few days - 391 on November 23, 382 on November 24, 353 on November 25 and 327 on November 25 (Wednesday), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

“Given the disruptive nature of Stage III restrictions and improving AQI trend, the sub-committee unanimously decides to revoke Stage III across the NCR with immediate effect,” the commission said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have forecast that Delhi’s air quality will remain in the “very poor” category in the coming days. All measures under Stages I and II will continue and must be strictly implemented and monitored, the CAQM said.

Construction and demolition sites previously shut for violations will not be allowed to reopen without explicit approval. Residents have been urged to follow Stages I and II guidelines to avoid the need for stricter measures. The sub-committee added that it would keep a close watch on the situation and review air quality regularly.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “I would like to inform all Delhiites that as per the CAQM order, GRAP III restrictions have now been lifted in Delhi, and GRAP II is in effect in the Capital. As a result, 50 per cent work-from-home arrangement in offices has been abolished, and the hybrid mode in schools has also been discontinued.”

“From now on, all arrangements will be conducted as per the GRAP-2 rules,” he added.

The Supreme Court recently approved key changes to the Graded Response Action Plan, allowing the CAQM to impose tougher measures earlier in the pollution cycle. In simple terms, the severity levels have been advanced so that stricter restrictions now take effect at lower AQI thresholds.