The air in Delhi is finally letting us catch a break. As of Saturday, January 3, 2026, the “severe” chokehold has loosened, and for the first time in a while, the sky doesn’t look like a solid wall of grey.
The thing is, while we’re technically in the “Poor” category with an AQI of 235-240, that’s a massive win compared to the 380 we were dealing with just 48 hours ago. Or nothing. Let’s be real, “poor” air feeling like a relief tells you everything you need to know about a Delhi winter. Those too.
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The “Clear Sky” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) didn’t waste any time.
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The Big Shift: All Stage-III (GRAP) restrictions were revoked yesterday evening.
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The “Kicker”: This means construction sites are buzzing again, stone crushers are back on, and those older BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars are technically allowed back on the roads.
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Wind is the Hero: We can thank the 12-15 kmph winds from the northwest. They basically acted like a giant fan, pushing the stagnant toxic soup toward the horizon.
Real-Talk: What Stays & What Goes?
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[Table showing the current status of restrictions in Delhi-NCR]
| Activity | Current Status (Jan 3) | The Reality Check |
| Construction | RESUMED | Dust control rules (Stage I & II) still apply. No “free pass” for violators. |
| Primary Schools | PHYSICAL/NORMAL | The hybrid mode is mostly over, though some schools are sticking to late starts. |
| Older Vehicles | ALLOWED | BS-III petrol/BS-IV diesel ban is lifted, but the 10/15-year rule is permanent. |
| Public Transport | INTENSIFIED | Expect more Metro trips and electric buses as Stage II is still active. |
The “Cold Wave” Warning
And here’s the kicker: the air is clearer, but it’s about to get a lot colder.
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The Forecast: The IMD has issued a Yellow Alert. A cold wave is expected to hit from today through January 6.
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The Numbers: Temperatures are dipping to 7°C – 8°C. While the wind helps the AQI, the cold might bring back that “ground-level” fog.
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The Reversal?: The experts are already warning that the AQI could slip back into “Very Poor” (300+) by tomorrow or Monday as wind speeds drop again.
Basically, we’ve got a 48-hour window of “okay-ish” air. Use it to air out the house or get those errands done before the cold and the smog potentially team up again for round two.
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End…
