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 Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas vide its order dated 15.01.2025 straightaway invoked both Stage-III and Stage-IV of revised GRAP when the AQI of Delhi breached the 350 mark on 15.01.2025 as the AQI of the day for yesterday recorded 386 and started to exhibit a sharp increasing trend, indicating a possibility to even breach the 400 mark.

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) for the day clocked 302, as per the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). In view of much favorable meteorological factors and rain in the region since the night of 15.01.2025, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP 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.

Owing to much favorable meteorological factors and rain in the region since the night of 15.01.2025, the Sub-Committee on GRAP in its meeting held on 16.01.2025 further reviewed the air quality scenario in the region as well as the IMD/IITM forecasts and observed as under:

• AQI of Delhi has been continuously improving and has been recorded as 302 (“Very Poor”) on 16.01.2025, which is about 98 AQI points below the benchmark as directed for by the Hon’ble Supreme Court for invoking Stage-IV.

• As per the Air Quality & Weather forecast provided by IMD/ IITM, there is a likelihood of AQI to remain in the lower end of ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming days owing to favorable meteorological conditions and wind speed. However, only as a matter of precaution, considering the uncertainties in the model predictions and abrupt fluctuations in the meteorological factors, it was opined that Stage-III of GRAP may be continued with and situation be reviewed subsequently.

Keeping in view the disruptive nature of actions impacting a large number of stakeholders and public at large and with significant improvement in the average AQI also considering abrupt fluctuations in the meteorological factors, the GRAP Sub-Committee however decided to revoke Stage-IV of extant GRAP schedule in the entire NCR at this stage, 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 adverse category in the coming days.

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 ongoing 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 revised 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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