In a welcome shift for residents of the National Capital Region (NCR), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday revoked Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), citing a consistent improvement in Delhi’s air quality. The move comes after the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 140, placing it in the ‘Moderate’ category.
Although an AQI of 140 remains “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” it is a significant improvement from the levels recorded earlier this month. On June 7, Delhi’s AQI had spiked to 209, prompting the CAQM to implement Stage-I of GRAP across the NCR to combat deteriorating air quality.
Following a review meeting on Sunday, the GRAP sub-committee evaluated the latest air quality data and weather forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). “The AQI of Delhi has shown consistent improvement due to favorable meteorological conditions,” the CAQM stated in its official order. “Forecasts suggest that the AQI is likely to remain in the ‘Moderate’ category in the coming days.”
With conditions showing sustained progress, the panel unanimously decided to lift the Stage-I restrictions with immediate effect. However, the CAQM emphasized the need for continued vigilance.
“All agencies of the concerned State Governments and the GNCTD must ensure strict implementation of existing statutory directions, advisories, and regulations issued by the CAQM, MoEFCC, CPCB, and respective State Pollution Control Boards,” the order noted.
GRAP is a graded emergency response mechanism designed to tackle deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR. It activates in four stages—Poor (Stage I), Very Poor (Stage II), Severe (Stage III), and Severe+ or Emergency (Stage IV)—based on AQI levels. The current AQI of 140 falls within the ‘Moderate’ range (101-200), which is below the threshold for Stage-I activation.
