The Delhi Government on Monday decided to reopen primary school classes from November 9 and revoke the order asking 50% of its staff to work from home in view of improvement in the city’s air quality. However, plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi will remain banned under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Curbs under Stage IV of the GRAP to check rising air pollution were lifted in Delhi on Monday lifted by the Delhi Government a day after the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) asked for it citing improvement in air quality, which has been in the “very poor” category since Saturday.

After a high-level meeting following the CAQM’s order, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said the primary schools will reopen on November 9 and outdoor activities are once again permitted within the school. The ban on vehicles entering Delhi has now been lifted, and Delhi’s Government offices can now open to their full capacity.

However, the restrictions imposed under GRAP-III and the ban on private construction and demolition operations will remain in place. School principals have welcomed the Delhi Government’s decision to restart primary classes.

"Entry of trucks into Delhi will be allowed and the ban on linear projects such as highways, flyovers, and roads has been lifted," he added.

Rai further said petrol BS III and diesel BS-IV vehicles will remain banned. "The restrictions for these two categories of vehicles were imposed as per Stage III of Grap. Therefore, we are not lifting them as all Stage III measures are still being followed. The exemptions for diesel vehicles are only those vehicles that are involved in essential or emergency services," said Rai. There are estimated to be around 300000 BS IV diesel vehicles and around 200000 BS III petrol vehicles in Delhi.

Rai said the restrictions that were put in place during the third phase of GRAP will still be in effect. "Private construction and demolition would also be prohibited inside Delhi, with the exception of projects relating to the railway, metro, airport bus terminal, national security, defence, hospitals, and other facilities of national importance," he added.

 At least 500 brand-new environmental buses have been ordered to be operated. During this time our emphasis will be on mechanical road sweeping and water spraying in Delhi.

The fire brigade vehicles will continue to be used for water sprinkling at hot spots. It will be our endeavour that the pollution level which is decreasing in Delhi continues," Rai said.

 Rai further said petrol BS III and diesel BS-IV vehicles will remain banned. "The restrictions for these two categories of vehicles were imposed as per Stage III of Grap. Therefore, we are not lifting them as all Stage III measures are still being followed. The exemptions for diesel vehicles are only those vehicles that are involved in essential or emergency services," said Rai. There are estimated to be around 300000 BS IV diesel vehicles and around 200000 BS III petrol vehicles in Delhi.

The minister said there has been a rapid improvement in the air pollution situation in Delhi and farm fires have also reduced ."Therefore, it has been decided to lift the curbs imposed under stage four of the Graded Response Action Plan in compliance with the direction from the Commission for Air Quality Management," he said.

As the air pollution in Delhi-NCR ameliorated over the last two days, the Centre's air quality panel Sunday directed authorities to lift the ban on plying of non-BS VI diesel light motor vehicles in the region and the entry of trucks into the capital imposed under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan.