The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) declared that the national capital and surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) would instantly cease Stage-II limitations from the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This decision came following improvements in the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP extended its order to remove Stage-II restrictions across the totality of NCR through an immediate implementation.

CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP revokes Stage-II of the extant schedule of GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.

For more details, visit: https://t.co/rP7bQaxGfD

— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) February 24, 2025

The CAQM’s decision comes as the AQI in Delhi was recorded at 186 on February 24, 2025, which is 114 points below the 300 mark required to implement Stage-II measures, as per the Supreme Court’s directives. “The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 186 for 24. 02.2025 which is 114 points below the 300 mark to implement the stage-II as per the extant directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Further, the forecast by IMD /IITM predicts the AQI mainly to remain in moderate/poor category,” the order signed by the Director (Technical) RK Agrawal, who is also the member convenor of the sub-committee on GRAP, stated.

“Owing to improvement in mixing height and ventilation coefficient and much favorable meteorological conditions for dispersion of pollutants, the AQI of Delhi has since shown a significant improvement,” the order further read. However, the actions under stages I of the extant schedule of GRAP shall remain invoked and be implemented.

All implementing agencies have been asked to keep strict vigil and intensify measures under the two stages of the extant schedule of GRAP.

“The Sub-Committee, shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and review the situation from time to time for further appropriate decision depending upon the Air Quality in Delhi and forecast made by IMD/IITM,” the order read, adding, “We must record here that if the Commission finds that the AQI goes above 350, as a precautionary measure, Stage-III measures will have to be immediately implemented. If the AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage-IV measures will have to be reintroduced.”

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