Delhi’s air quality saw a slight improvement, leading to the revocation of strict measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV. The Commission for Air Quality Management in Delhi-NCR and surrounding areas made this decision after observing a decline in the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. The daily average AQI dropped from 440 on January 18 to 378 on Tuesday, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Noting the positive trend in Delhi’s AQI levels, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP conducted a review based on meteorological forecasts and air quality index data. Considering the impact of Stage-IV restrictions on stakeholders and the public, the GRAP Sub-Committee unanimously decided to lift Stage-IV restrictions across the entire NCR region. However, measures under Stages III, II, and I of the GRAP will continue to be enforced to prevent a further increase in AQI levels.
The CAQM emphasized that construction and demolition sites with closure orders due to violations must not resume operations without specific approval from the Commission. The focus remains on ensuring that AQI levels do not deteriorate in the upcoming days through continued monitoring and implementation of necessary actions by all concerned agencies in the NCR.
