Today, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) of the day clocked 186 as per the daily AQI Bulletin furnished by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), clearly indicating a downward trend. In view of notable and consistent improvement in the air quality of Delhi witnessed over the past days and also considering the meteorological/ weather forecasts by IITM/ IMD, the Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to review the current air quality scenario in the region and accordingly take an appropriate decision on the preventive/ restrictive actions under Stage-II of GRAP already in place in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) since 22.10.2024. While comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee observed as under:

• Owing to improvement in mixing height and ventilation coefficient and much favorable meteorological conditions for dispersion of pollutants, the AQI of Delhi has since shown a significant improvement.

• The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 186 for 24. 02.2025 which is 114 points below the 300 mark to implement the stage-II as per the extant directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Further, the forecast by IMD /IITM predicts the AQI mainly to remain in moderate/poor category.

Therefore, keeping in view this trend of improvement in the AQI of Delhi and also the forecasts by IMD/ IITM indicating the average air quality of Delhi to stay in ‘Moderate/ lower-end of ‘Poor’ category in the coming days (for which forecast is available), the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP today unanimously decided to revoke actions under Stage-II of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.

Actions under Stage-I of the extant schedule of 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-I of extant schedule of GRAP.

The Commission urges all agencies responsible for implementation of various actions listed under Stages–I of the extant schedule of GRAP and citizens/ residents to strictly implement and solemnly follow the provisions/ charter of GRAP under Stage-I to obviate the need for re-imposition of Stage-II of the extant schedule of GRAP in NCR.

The Sub-Committee, shall keep 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 extant schedule of GRAP can be accessed via the Commission’s official website, i.e., https://caqm.nic.in/

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VM/GS

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