Due to a significant decline in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reimposed Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. The air quality index (AQI) in the region has sharply increased from 276 to 365, driven by unfavorable weather conditions like calm winds and low temperatures.
Stage 3 restrictions include a ban on non-essential construction activities, a recommendation for schools up to grade 5 to shift to hybrid mode, and restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles. Additionally, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses are banned, and non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles are prohibited from entering the national capital.
The CAQM is actively monitoring the situation and will review the air quality periodically to determine further actions. The commission also noted that upcoming rain might help improve the air quality in the region.