Delhi Sees Brief Air Relief, Grap 3 Restrictions Rolled Back, But Poor Air Quality Returns Soon

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{ "title": "Delhi Sees Brief Air Relief, Grap 3 Restrictions Rolled Back, But Poor Air Quality Returns Soon", "article": "In a swift decision, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted Stage 3 pollution restrictions in Delhi on Friday, just hours after a significant improvement in air quality. The move comes despite forecasts predicting a return to 'very poor' air quality by Sunday and remaining hazardous for at least a week. The decision marks the second time in 10 days that the commission has rolled back emergency measures after weather-driven improvements. On December 25, the commission revoked Stage 4 curbs just hours after winds improved the Air Quality Index (AQI), only for pollution to return to 'very poor' levels as forecast. Delhi's 24-hour average AQI dropped from 380 on Thursday to 236 on Friday, a 144-point improvement driven by strong surface winds. However, the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) forecast shows air quality will remain in the 'poor' category until Saturday before deteriorating to 'very poor' from Sunday through Tuesday. Experts have raised concerns about the commission's decision to lift restrictions, citing the uncertainty of winter weather conditions. Sunil Dahiya, founder of Envirocatalysts, stressed the need for sustained improvements before lifting restrictions, while Dipankar Saha, former head of the Central Pollution Control Board's air laboratory, suggested waiting longer before lifting restrictions. The commission justified the rollback by citing the significant improvement in air quality, but emphasized that restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 will remain in place. The rollback allows private construction and demolition activities, mining, and allied operations to resume immediately, while restrictions on older vehicles and other vehicular curbs are also lifted. Delhi faces at least eight consecutive days of very poor air beginning Sunday, with the AQEWS bulletin stating that the air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category for the next six days. The city has already seen disruptions due to poor air quality, with 66 flights cancelled and over 500 delayed at the Delhi airport on Friday. As the city braces for poor air quality, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for moderate to dense fog over the weekend, with icy-cold northwesterly winds leading to a sustained drop in minimum temperature. The power demand has also increased above 5,500MW, with peak demand reaching 5,595MW on Friday."