The ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars in Delhi has been lifted. This will provide relief to five lakh vehicle owners registered in Delhi. The plying of such vehicles was banned on the directions of the Central Air Quality Commission (CAQM) after the air pollution increased to critical levels.

According to a Delhi government official, BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles will be able to ply on the roads from Monday. Since the imposition of the ban, the taxi unions have been continuously demanding the government to lift the ban. More than five lakh BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles are registered in Delhi.

Significantly, the air quality in Delhi is still poor. Stubble is spoiling the air of Delhi. According to Centre's air standards body Safar India, in the last 24 hours, stubble burning contributed 24 per cent to Delhi-NCR's pollution. At the same time, particles larger than PM 2.5 accounted for 57 percent of PM 10. PM 10 level was recorded at 220 and PM 2.5 level at 122 micrograms per cubic meter. In general, PM 2.5 level of 60 and PM 10 level of less than 100 micrometres is considered in the safe category.

According to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, maximum incidents of stubble burning are being recorded in Punjab. In the last 24 hours, incidents of stubble burning have been registered at 2175 places in Punjab. Whereas, incidents of stubble burning have been recorded at 132 places in Haryana, 102 in Uttar Pradesh, 773 in Madhya Pradesh and 63 in Rajasthan. 

Stubble has not been burnt at a single place in Delhi. Weather experts say that on one side the stubble is burning and on the other side the wind is also coming from the north-west direction. However, due to locally prevailing favorable weather conditions, the air over Delhi-NCR is not deteriorating much.