Delhi Air Pollution: CAQM revokes GRAP IV; has AQI improved in NCR? what are forecasts?
The Sub-Committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) on Wednesday revoked all actions under Stage-IV of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect following improvement in air quality. The Commission had on December 13 invoked Stage-IV when the average AQI of Delhi breached the 450 mark on the same day.
The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP reviewed the current air quality scenario in the region as well as forecasts for meteorological conditions and AQI made available by IMD/IITM. It noted that the AQI of Delhi has shown significant improvement since Tuesday night owing to favorable meteorological conditions, including high wind speed, and stood at 271 (“Poor” category) on December 24.
IMD/IITM forecasts indicate the likelihood of the average AQI of Delhi to stay between ‘Poor’ and ‘Very Poor’ category in the coming day.
Therefore, keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public as well as the improvement in the average AQI of Delhi and also the forecasts issued by IMD/IITM, the Sub-Committee unanimously decided to revoke all actions under Stage-IV of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect.
All actions under Stages III, II & I of the extant schedule of GRAP (November 2025), however, remain in place and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not rise further in the coming days.
The Sub-Committee shall keep a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decisions depending upon the air quality in Delhi and forecast for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/ IITM.