Delhi residents can now drive their BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles after restrictions were lifted on January 5. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the decision following an improvement in the city’s air quality index (AQI), which stood at 339, categorized as “very poor.”
The restrictions, part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 measures, had been reintroduced on January 3 due to worsening pollution levels. These measures are implemented to curb vehicular emissions and include a ban on non-essential diesel-operated medium goods vehicles and certain private vehicles in Delhi and NCR.
The GRAP framework classifies air quality into four stages—Stage I (AQI 201-300: Poor), Stage II (AQI 301-400: Very Poor), Stage III (AQI 401-450: Severe), and Stage IV (AQI above 450: Severe Plus). Stage 3, in particular, enforces stricter controls, such as restricting BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles and medium goods vehicles operating on older diesel standards. However, exemptions are provided for persons with disabilities.
This is the third time in three months that Delhi has implemented GRAP Stage 3 measures due to persistent “very poor” or worse AQI levels. The CAQM continues to monitor air quality trends, and future restrictions will depend on pollution levels in the region.
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