GRAP Stage-I curbs revoked as Delhi’s air quality improves

With Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) improving to 184 (moderate), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday lifted Stage-I restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR).

The sub-committee on GRAP, which met earlier in the day, cited strong surface winds and favourable meteorological conditions behind the improvement in air quality. Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) also indicate that AQI levels will continue to stay in the ‘moderate’ category over the coming days.

The stage-I curbs, which had been in effect since April 2, 2025, were aimed at curbing dust and vehicular pollution through basic control measures such as enforcement of emission standards, construction dust mitigation, and traffic regulation.

“Keeping in view this trend of improvement in the AQI of Delhi and forecasts by the IMD/IITM, the sub-committee unanimously decided to revoke stage-I of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect,” the CAQM said in a statement.

However, the commission has directed all state and central agencies concerned to continue enforcing statutory pollution control norms and follow CAQM’s comprehensive policy for the NCR, particularly dust mitigation for construction and demolition (C&D) activities and roads/open areas — key contributors to summer air pollution.

The CAQM said it will continue to monitor the air quality and meteorological trends closely and reimpose restrictions if necessary.

Delhi