By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JAN 13, 2025: TODAY, Delhi's average AQI has been continuously improving as at 2 PM it clocked 281, at 3 PM it recorded 279, which further improved to 278 in the 4PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), clearly indicating a downward trend. In view of this trend of improvement in the average AQI of Delhi, 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 as well as the forecasts for meteorological conditions and air quality index made available by IMD/ IITM and accordingly take an appropriate call on the preventive/ restrictive actions under Stage-III of revised GRAP in place in the entire National Capital Region (NCR) since 09.01.2025. While comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality parameters of Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee observed as under:

- Owing to a WD (Western Disturbance) on 11th - 12th Jan, 2025, there were rains around Delhi-NCR and the AQI of Delhi has shown a significant improvement owing to the favorable meteorological conditions.

- The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 278 at 4:00 PM today which is 72 points below the 350 mark to implement the Stage-III as per the extant directives of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Further, the forecast by IMD predicts another WD (Western Disturbance) in the region around 14th - 15th January, 2025. 

Therefore, keeping in view the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of revised GRAP impacting a large number of stakeholders and public as well as considering the trend of improvement in the average AQI of Delhi and also the forecasts by IMD/ IITM indicating the likelihood of the overall air quality of Delhi to stay in ‘Poor'/ ‘Very Poor' category in the coming days, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP today unanimously decided to revoke all actions under Stage-III of revised GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.

Further, all actions under Stages II & I of revised GRAP shall however remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all agencies concerned in the entire NCR. Agencies shall keep strict vigil and especially intensify measures under Stages II & I of revised GRAP in order to obviate the need for re-implementation of Stage-III of revised GRAP actions in NCR.

Construction & Demolition (C&D) project sites and industrial units etc., which have been issued specific closure orders on account of violations/ non-compliances of various statutory directions, rules, guidelines etc. under no circumstances shall resume their operations without any specific order to this effect from the Commission.

While GRAP Stage-III is being revoked, keeping in view the ongoing winter season when weather conditions may not be always favourable and in order to ensure that the AQI levels do not rise further, citizens are requested to adhere to the Citizen Charter under Stages II & I of revised GRAP schedule .

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.