Overview
- CAQM’s sub-committee revoked Stage III across the NCR with immediate effect after three days of marginal gains, recording a Delhi AQI of 327.
- With Stage III lifted, bans on non‑essential construction, stone crushers and mining, and the use of BS‑III petrol and BS‑IV diesel vehicles have been withdrawn.
- Actions under GRAP Stage I and II remain in force with intensified enforcement, and construction or demolition sites shut for violations cannot reopen without CAQM approval.
- Delhi logged its 13th straight day in the ‘very poor’ band and IMD/IITM forecasts indicate no near‑term relief from hazardous winter conditions.
- The rollback drew immediate criticism from experts and activists as premature, while the Supreme Court approved shifting stricter GRAP measures to lower AQI thresholds and the Delhi government ended the Stage III work‑from‑home and hybrid school arrangements.