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NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted GRAP 3 curbs on Friday in Delhi-NCR as air quality showed significant improvement. The air quality index dropped from 380 on Thursday to 236 by Friday afternoon.”The AQI of Delhi, which was recorded as 380 on Thursday, has significantly improved and recorded 236 at 4 pm on Friday, exhibiting a trend. Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP decides to revoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-3 of the extant GRAP, with immediate effect, in the entire NCR,” an official, quoted by PTI, said.However, the commission will continue to enforce measures under Stages 1 and 2 of GRAP to maintain air quality standards.Delhi-NCR has been struggling with severe pollution levels. All measures under Stage III (‘Severe’ AQI: 401–450) were invoked in December after the AQI rose, slow wind speeds, a stable atmosphere and unfavourable meteorological conditions, leading to poor dispersion of pollutants.What’s banned under GRAP 3
- Non-essential construction and demolition: earthwork, piling, open trenching, welding, painting, plastering, tile/flooring work, RMC plants.
- Transportation of construction materials like cement, sand, and fly-ash on unpaved roads.
- Stone crushers, brick kilns, and mining activities.BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers; non-essential diesel-powered medium goods vehicles; inter-state diesel buses not running on CNG, electricity, or BS-VI standards.
- Industries using unapproved fuels.
What’s allowed / exempted
- Essential infrastructure and public service projects: metro, railway, airport, highway, defence, healthcare, sanitation projects.
- Construction work for critical projects with strict dust control and waste management.
- Persons with disabilities using exempted vehicles.Use of public transport and hybrid/online school classes up to Grade 5.