Today, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 165 as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). CAQM Sub-Committee for invoking actions under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in its earlier meetings had invoked actions under Stage I, Stage II, Stage III and Stage IV of the GRAP on dated 14.10.2024, 21.10.2024, 14.11.2024 and 17.11.2024 respectively.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its Order dated 18.11.2024 in Writ Petition No. 13029/1985 (M.C. Mehta Vs Union of India) had earlier observed that till the Supreme Court passes further orders, the implementation of Stage-IV of GRAP will continue even if AQI drops below 450. Further, the Hon’ble Supreme court in its hearing on date, based on the air quality data placed before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, inter-alia observed and permitted the Commission to revoke Stage-IV but not to go below Stage-II of GRAP for the present.

The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP, accordingly, in its meeting held today further reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index provided by IMD/ IITM.

While reviewing the current air quality scenario in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/ IITM, the Sub-Committee observed as under:

● AQI of Delhi has continuously improved since 24.11.2024 and has been recorded as 165 (“Moderate”) on 05.12.2024 at 4:00 PM, which is about 135 AQI points below the thresholds for invoking Stage-II (Delhi AQI 301-400).

● As per the Air Quality & Weather forecast provided by IMD/IITM, there is a likelihood of AQI mainly to remain in “poor” category in the coming days.

The air quality forecasts by IMD/ IITM also do not indicate much degradation in the overall air quality of Delhi-NCR in the coming days. Therefore, keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/ IITM and also the disruptive nature of restrictive actions under Stage-IV and III of GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public at large, the Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to revoke Stage-IV and Stage-III of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.

Actions under Stage-II & I of the GRAP shall however remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all the agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further. All implementing agencies shall keep strict vigil and especially intensify measures under Stage-II & I of GRAP.

Construction & Demolition (C&D) project sites and industrial units which have been issued specific closure orders on account of violations/ non-compliances of various statutory directions, rules, guidelines etc. under no circumstances shall resume their operations without any specific order to this effect from the Commission.

While GRAP Stage-IV & III are being revoked, keeping in view of the winter season when and weather conditions may not be always favorable and in order to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further, citizens are requested to strictly adhere to the citizen charter.

The Sub-Committee, shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decision depending upon the Air Quality in Delhi and forecast made by IMD/IITM. The revised schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s website and can be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in

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VM/GS