New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi has decided to lift the restrictions imposed under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect in Delhi and surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) following the improvement of air quality.
The CAQM’s decision comes as the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 286 on February 3, 2025, which is 64 points below the 350 mark required to implement Stage-III measures, as per the Supreme Court’s directives.
In an order issued signed by the Director (Technical) RK Agrawal, who is also the member convenor of the sub-committee on GRAP, stated “The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 286 for 03.02.2025 which is 64 points below the 350 mark to implement Stage-III as per the extant directives of the Supreme Court. Further, the forecast by IMD predicts very light rain/ drizzle and favourable wind conditions in the days to come.”
“Owing to improvement in mixing height and ventilation coefficient and much favourable meteorological conditions for dispersion of pollutants, the AQI of Delhi has shown a significant improvement,” the order further read.
However, the actions under stages I and II of the extant schedule of GRAP shall remain invoked and be implemented. All implementing agencies have been asked to keep strict vigil and intensify measures under the two stages of the extant schedule of GRAP.