In a major relief to vehicle owners, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) officially revoked GRAP Stage-3 restrictions across Delhi-NCR today, January 22, 2026, effective immediately. The decision came after Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) showed sustained improvement, recording 322 ("Very Poor") at 4 PM—well below the "Severe" threshold (401-450) that mandates the restrictive measures.
With this order, the ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers has been lifted. Lakhs of private cars that were legally grounded since January 16 can now ply without fear of the ₹20,000 penalty. The CAQM Sub-Committee cited favorable meteorological forecasts, predicting that the air quality would not slip back into the "Severe" category in the immediate future.
The Context (How We Got Here)
- The Trigger: On January 16, the AQI breached the 400 mark, forcing the invocation of Stage 3 (Vehicle Ban). This escalated to Stage 4 (Truck Ban) on January 17 as pollution hit "Severe+" levels (>450).
- The Rollercoaster: The city saw a rapid fluctuation in policy. Stage 4 was revoked on January 20 as winds picked up, but Stage 3 remained, keeping older private cars off the road.
- The Stabilization: By January 22, strong surface winds had successfully dispersed the accumulated pollutants, stabilizing the AQI at 322 and allowing the administration to roll back the final layer of emergency curbs.
The Key Players (Who & So What)
- CAQM Sub-Committee: The regulator. They took the calculated risk to lift restrictions based on "dynamic model forecasts" from IMD/IITM, aiming to balance public health with economic mobility.
- Gopal Rai (Environment Minister): The enforcer. While he has instructed the transport department to withdraw the specific challan drive for older vehicles, he continues to urge citizens to maintain "voluntary discipline" to prevent a relapse.
- Delhi Transport Association: The beneficiaries. Commercial light vehicle operators, who were effectively paralyzed by the BS-IV diesel ban, have welcomed the move, stating it ends a "week of financial paralysis" for small logistics players.
The BIGSTORY Reframe (The "Wind Lottery")
The lifting of the ban is being celebrated as a victory, but it is actually a reminder of our policy fragility.
- Governing by Anemometer: The restrictions weren't lifted because Delhi reduced its emissions; they were lifted because the wind speed increased. We are effectively governing the capital's economy based on a "Wind Lottery."
- The "Switch-On, Switch-Off" Trap: This week exposed the flaw in the GRAP mechanism. In just six days, the city went from Stage 0 to Stage 3 to Stage 4, then back to Stage 3, and now Stage 2. This policy volatility creates "Enforcement Fatigue" among police and confusion among citizens, ultimately weakening compliance when it matters most.
The Implications (Why This Matters)
- The Traffic Spike: Expect immediate congestion at border points (Gurugram-Delhi, Noida-Delhi) tomorrow. The return of lakhs of BS-III and BS-IV cars will significantly add to the vehicular volume, potentially pushing the AQI back up by evening.
- Economic Relief: The revocation unblocks the supply chain for small-scale distributors who rely on older BS-IV diesel vans (like Tata Ace) for last-mile delivery, stabilizing prices of perishable goods.
- The "Relapse" Risk: With the protective layer of the ban removed, Delhi is now just one "calm wind day" away from slipping back into the Severe category. The margin for error is now zero.
The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)
If the right to drive your car depends entirely on whether the wind decides to blow, can we claim to have a functioning urban policy?
FAQs
- Is the ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars lifted in Delhi? Yes. As of January 22, 2026, the CAQM has revoked GRAP Stage 3, meaning BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are legally allowed to ply in Delhi-NCR again.
- Why was GRAP Stage 3 revoked today? The decision was taken because Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) improved to 322 ("Very Poor"), dropping below the threshold of 401 ("Severe") that necessitates Stage 3 restrictions.
- Are there any restrictions left on vehicles in Delhi? While the specific ban on older private cars is gone, standard pollution norms apply. You must carry a valid PUC certificate, and trucks without RFID tags or pre-BS-VI compliance may still face non-GRAP related restrictions at borders.
- Will the ₹20,000 fine be refunded if I was challaned yesterday? No. The revocation is prospective (effective immediately from Jan 22). Challans issued while the restrictions were in force (Jan 16-22) remain valid and legally binding.
- What happens if the AQI worsens again? If the AQI crosses the 400 mark again, the CAQM will re-invoke Stage 3, and the ban on BS-III/BS-IV vehicles will be reinstated automatically.
Sources
News Coverage
Context & Analysis
Brajesh Mishra
Exclusive Content
