CAQM just revoked the GRAP Stage III actions in Delhi-NCR. That means no more mandatory 50% Work From Home and hybrid classes. The AQI is improving—recorded at 327—but it’s still very poor. We break down the official order, why they did it, and the Stage I/II restrictions that are staying put. The air quality situation is ongoing.
The Dispatch: GRAP III Revoked
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) just pulled the trigger. They’ve revoked all the big, disruptive actions that came under GRAP Stage III. That’s official.
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And then Delhi minister Manjinder Sirsa followed, confirming it immediately. The restrictions—the 50% work from home rule, the hybrid classes for schools—all lifted. Just like that.
The air quality, the thing is, it’s been inching up. The CAQM order—it noted the improvement.
It hit 327. Still “Very Poor,” mind you, but better than “Severe.” They had to make the call. The sheer disruption of Stage III—when it’s “Severe”—is massive, let’s be real. It was invoked on November 11. And now it’s gone.
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But here’s the kicker. This isn’t a return to normal. Not yet. The whole committee—they’re doubling down on Stage I and II actions. Those remain invoked.
Jotting down the immediate points from the order:
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Construction Ban: The order was firm on this one. Any construction or demolition project that was shut down because they were violating rules? They do not get to just restart. That’s a hard line. They need specific clearance.
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Vigilance: All concerned agencies are ordered to make sure the Stage I and II actions are being enforced. Like, intensified enforcement. The goal is simple: the AQI cannot slip back down into “Severe” territory. It’s an ongoing fight.
What draws people there? The visibility. This past Wednesday, the morning haze was thick. You saw the numbers: the average Air Quality Index stood at 337 at 7 am. Around India Gate? 358. Ghazipur? 363. That’s the atmosphere on the ground.
It was that worsening air that forced the government’s hand earlier—they made WFH mandatory, even for private offices. That was a huge shift; before, they usually just issued advisories for private sector WFH. Now, that’s off the table. But everyone’s watching, because weather conditions can change on a dime. The situation is always in flux.
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