CAQM Revokes Stage-I of GRAP in Delhi-NCR as Air Quality Improves

NEW DELHI: In a welcome development for residents of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) today announced the revocation of Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect, following a marked improvement in Delhi’s air quality.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 179, placing it in the ‘Moderate’ category, according to the daily bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The improvement was attributed to strong surface winds, thunderstorms, and light rainfall over the past few days.

Weather forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) also indicate that the AQI in Delhi is likely to remain in the ‘Moderate’ category in the coming days.

"In light of the improved air quality and favourable meteorological conditions, the Sub-Committee has unanimously decided to revoke Stage-I of the existing GRAP measures across the entire NCR," the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said in an official statement.

However, the Commission cautioned that all implementing agencies under the respective State Governments and the Government of NCT Delhi (GNCTD) must continue to strictly enforce all statutory directions and pollution control guidelines. These include instructions issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, CPCB, State Pollution Control Boards, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), particularly in sectors contributing to dust and industrial emissions.

Authorities have also been directed to remain vigilant and continue dust mitigation efforts to sustain the current air quality levels and prevent a return to the ‘Poor’ category.

The Sub-Committee will continue to closely monitor the air quality situation in Delhi-NCR and review the implementation of pollution control measures periodically, based on real-time data and weather forecasts.