The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its directions in WP(C) No. 13029 of 1985 in the matter of M.C. Mehta Vs. Union of India & Ors. dated 05.12.2024, inter alia, directed the Commission as under:

“…we must record here that if the Commission finds that the AQI goes above 350, as a precautionary measure, Stage-III measures will have to be immediately implemented. If the AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage-IV measures will have to be reintroduced…”

 

In pursuance of the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP vide its order dated 16.12.2024 invoked Stage-III of revised GRAP when the AQI of Delhi breached the 350 mark during the day and Stage-IV when the average AQI of Delhi further worsened and was recorded as 401 at 10 pm, breaching the 400 mark, on the same date.

Today, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) clocked 369 as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which improved to 364 at 5PM and further improved to 361 at 6PM. In view of significant improvement in the average air quality of Delhi, the Sub-Committee on 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 in the region as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/ IITM and also take an appropriate call on the stringent actions under Stage-IV of GRAP already in place in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) since 16.12.2024. While comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee observed that Delhi’s daily average AQI clocked 478 at 3PM which improved to 369 at 4PM, 364 at 5PM and further improved to 361 at 6PM, clearly indicating a declining trend. Further, the air quality forecasts by IMD/ IITM also do not indicate any degradation in the overall air quality of Delhi 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 of GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public at large, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to revoke Stage-IV of revised GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect. Actions under Stages III, II & I of revised GRAP shall however remain invoked and be strictly implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further to the ‘Severe’/ ‘Severe +’ category.

Noting the general improvement in the AQI levels of Delhi, the Sub-Committee on GRAP in its meeting held on 24.12.2024 further reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts and observed as under:

• AQI of Delhi is continuously improving since morning and has been recorded as 369 (“Very Poor”) on 24.12.2024 at 4:00 PM, which is about 31 AQI points below the limits as decided and directed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for invoking Stage-IV (Delhi AQI 400). The AQI further dropped to 364 at 5:00 PM.
• As per the Air Quality & Weather forecast provided by IMD/ IITM, there is a likelihood of AQI to remain in “Very Poor” (301-400 AQI of Delhi) category in the coming days owing to the favourable meteorological conditions and wind speed.

Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under GRAP including Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to ensure strict implementation and intensification of actions under Stages III, II & I of revised GRAP in the entire NCR.

While GRAP Stage-IV is being revoked, keeping in view the winter season when 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 under Stages III, II & I of GRAP.

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 scenario in Delhi and forecast made available by IMD/ IITM. The comprehensively revised GRAP schedule can be accessed from the Commission’s official website, i.e., https://caqm.nic.in

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VM/GS

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