In New Delhi on 27 November, AAP spokesperson Gopal Rai questioned why the central government had lifted Stage‑3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the Delhi‑NCR region, despite air quality data indicating a deterioration.
The move came after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had removed Stage‑3 controls the day before, citing a three‑day trend of improved pollution readings. Rai countered that the decision was premature and that the public is being misled about how pollution levels are tracked.
Speaking to LatestNewsX, Rai uttered, “The way the BJP government is handling pollution raises many questions. A new question has emerged — if today’s pollution level is higher than yesterday’s, why was GRAP‑3 removed? The AQI today is higher than yesterday, yet Stage‑3 restrictions were lifted. When pollution levels were lower, GRAP‑3 was in force.”
He went on to claim that easing controls during the peak winter period, when industrial and vehicular emissions typically spike, is a reckless choice. “This is the first time Delhi is witnessing pollution levels rise in winter, yet restrictions are being relaxed. The government should be working to reduce pollution, but instead it is misrepresenting data. This is a humanitarian crime against the people of Delhi, who are suffering health impacts,” he remarked.
Rai further accused the administration of altering figures rather than tackling the problem directly. “Air purifiers in Delhi have been sold out, and hospitals are witnessing a rise in respiratory cases. The government is not taking action and is instead hiding the data. Even if they can’t control pollution, manipulating numbers is wrong,” he added.
When CAQM announced the withdrawal of Stage‑3 on Wednesday, it also noted a gradual improvement in air quality and indicated that Delhi would now operate under Stage‑2 restrictions. During the winter months, the city follows a four‑stage protocol based on the Air Quality Index: Stage 1 (poor, 201‑300), Stage 2 (very poor, 301‑400), Stage 3 (severe, 401‑450), and Stage 4 (severe plus, above 450).
Delhi’s environment minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, said on Wednesday that the removal of Stage‑3 meant the 50 per cent work‑from‑home mandate for offices and the hybrid model for schools were no longer in force. The earlier Stage‑3 restrictions had banned non‑essential construction, stone crushing, mining, and the operation of older diesel goods vehicles. Under the revised rule set, only Stage‑2 measures will remain applicable across the Delhi‑NCR region.
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