GRAP-III curbs revoked as Delhi's air quality improves

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday revoked Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR after air quality showed improvement due to favourable weather conditions.

As per an order issued on January 22, the Sub-Committee on GRAP reviewed the prevailing air quality and meteorological forecasts before taking the decision. “Delhi’s AQI stood at 322 today. It has been improving owing to favourable meteorological conditions,” the order stated.

Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that air quality is likely to remain in ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ category in coming days, it said.

Following the improvement, the Sub-Committee decided to revoke Stage-III measures with immediate effect. However, the commission made it clear that actions under Stage I & II would continue, the order said.

The Sub-Committee said it would continue to closely monitor air quality trends. “It will be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time,” the order noted, adding that further action would depend on AQI levels and IMD/IITM forecasts.