Stage 4 GRAP revoked as air quality improves

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday revoked Stage 4 curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) as air quality levels showed improvement. Despite this, measures under Stage 1, 2, and 3 of the GRAP will remain in effect to manage pollution levels.

Stage 4 restrictions had been enforced across NCR since December 16 due to a sharp decline in air quality. These measures included a complete ban on construction and demolition activities, restrictions on the entry of trucks and light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi and a prohibition on BS-4 and lower medium and heavy goods vehicles entering the city.

However, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has been “continuously improving” since the morning, according to the sub-committee monitoring the situation. At 4 PM, the air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 369, falling into the “very poor” category, but still 31 points below the threshold required to continue Stage 4 restrictions.

Earlier in the day, at 8 AM, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had reported an AQI of 401, placing the city’s air quality in the “severe” category. On Monday morning, the AQI had also fallen into the 'severe' category, registering 403 at 7 AM. Several areas of the capital had experienced “severe” air quality levels, limiting visibility.

The AQI had been on a downward trend since December 22, when the capital saw its air quality categorised as “very poor.” On Sunday morning, the CPCB recorded an AQI of 388 at 7 AM, while on Saturday, it was measured at 398.

Under the GRAP, air quality is categorised into four stages based on the AQI - Stage I: Poor (AQI 201-300), Stage II: Very Poor (AQI 301-400), Stage III: Severe (AQI 401-450) and Stage IV: Severe Plus (AQI above 450).