Proactive action? Grap 3 gone, toxic air remains in Delhi

On 27 November 2025 the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage‑3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi‑NCR. Their decision came when the city’s 24‑hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 327 — still classified as “very poor”.

Stage‑3 curbs — which had banned older diesel vehicles, halted construction, mining and demolition work, and required offices to run at 50 % staff — were lifted. Schools resumed normal mode and construction resumed.

Experts and residents criticised the move, arguing that the air was still dangerously polluted and that the decision came too early, given that forecasts predicted air quality would remain poor in the coming days.

Read this story from the newspaper clipping attached below: