Since 30.01.2023, Delhi’s overall air quality has significantly improved from 207 to 164 clocked today as per the 4PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In view of this improvement in the overall Air Quality Index AQI of Delhi over past few days and also considering the meteorological/ weather forecasts by IITM/ IMD, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to review the current air quality scenario. While reviewing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR and other aspects, the Sub-Committee noted that forecasts by IMD/ IITM do not indicate the overall AQI of Delhi to slip into ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days and is likely to remain in ‘Moderate’ category. Therefore, it is felt advisable to relax the ongoing restrictions under Stage-II of GRAP and roll it back with immediate effect in the entire NCR.

The overall AQI of Delhi has significantly improved from the level of 207 (‘Poor’ category) observed on 30.01.2023 to 192 (upper-end of ‘Moderate’ category) observed on 31.01.2023 to 164 (‘Moderate’ category) recorded today (01.02.2023).

Based on earlier decisions of the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under GRAP, preventive/ restrictive actions upto Stage-II of GRAP were already in force, vide order dated October 5, 2022 for Stage-I; and order dated October 19, 2022 for Stage-II respectively.

Furthermore, as the air quality prediction by IMD/ IITM not indicating any significant deterioration of air quality of Delhi in the coming days with highly favourable conditions for dispersion of pollutants because of good wind velocity and high ventilation index, the Sub-Committee, accordingly decided to revoke the order, issued vide dated 19^th October, 2022 for implementation of actions under Stage-II of GRAP with immediate effect. All actions under Stage-I of GRAP shall however remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR does not deteriorate further in the coming days.

Further, the Commission appeals to the citizens of NCR to cooperate in implementing GRAP and follow steps mentioned in the Citizen Charter under GRAP. Citizens are advised to:

• Keep engines of your vehicles viz. cars/ bikes/ scooters etc. properly tuned;
• Maintain proper air pressure in tyres of vehicles;
• Keep PUC certificates of their vehicles up to date;
• Not idle your vehicle, also turn off the engine at red lights;
• Not dispose waste /garbage in the open spaces;
• Report air pollution activities through 311 App, Green Delhi App, SAMEER App etc.

Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation of all actions of Stage-I under GRAP in the entire NCR.

The Commission shall be closely watching the air quality scenario in the coming days and will review the situation accordingly. The revised schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s official website and can be accessed via caqm.nic.in

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MJPS