Pollution curbs under Grap-4 revoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality improves to 'very poor'
While the most stringent restrictions have been lifted, pollution control measures under GRAP Stages 1, 2 and 3 will continue across Delhi-NCR, the CAQM said.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday revoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) after a marked improvement in air quality.
In an official order, the CAQM said the decision was taken following a review of the prevailing air quality and meteorological conditions, which indicated a downward trend in pollution levels. With the easing of conditions, the stringent restrictions imposed under GRAP-4 have been lifted with immediate effect.
According to the commission, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 378 on January 20, placing it in the “very poor” category, an improvement from the “severe plus” levels that had earlier triggered the toughest curbs. Officials said stronger winds and favourable weather conditions helped disperse pollutants, and forecasts suggest air quality is likely to remain in this range in the coming days.
While the most stringent restrictions have been lifted, pollution control measures under GRAP Stages 1, 2 and 3 will continue across Delhi and the National Capital Region. These include limits on polluting activities and closer monitoring of emissions to prevent a fresh spike in pollution levels.
Delhi had witnessed three consecutive days of “severe” air pollution on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, leading to the imposition of Stage 4 restrictions. On Tuesday morning, the average AQI improved to 395, marking the end of the severe spell, though pollution remained high across several locations.
According to Delhi’s Decision Support System (DSS), the transport sector was the largest contributor to pollution at 11.1 per cent, followed by Delhi and peripheral industries at 8.7 per cent. Construction activities contributed 1.4 per cent, residential emissions 2.7 per cent and energy generation 1 per cent.
Among NCR districts, Sonipat emerged as the highest contributor at 11.3 per cent, followed by Gautam Buddha Nagar (6.2 per cent), Baghpat (5.4 per cent), Muzaffarnagar (4.3 per cent), Panipat (4.1 per cent), Karnal (3.3 per cent), Ghaziabad (2.7 per cent) and Meerut (1.6 per cent).
The Air Quality Warning System has forecast that air quality is likely to remain in the “very poor” category from Wednesday to Friday.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature on Tuesday was 25.7 degrees Celsius, significantly above normal, while the minimum settled at 7.2 degrees Celsius. The weather office has forecast moderate fog on Wednesday, along with isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorm activity later this week, which could influence pollution levels in the coming days.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday revoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) after a marked improvement in air quality.
In an official order, the CAQM said the decision was taken following a review of the prevailing air quality and meteorological conditions, which indicated a downward trend in pollution levels. With the easing of conditions, the stringent restrictions imposed under GRAP-4 have been lifted with immediate effect.
According to the commission, Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 378 on January 20, placing it in the “very poor” category, an improvement from the “severe plus” levels that had earlier triggered the toughest curbs. Officials said stronger winds and favourable weather conditions helped disperse pollutants, and forecasts suggest air quality is likely to remain in this range in the coming days.
While the most stringent restrictions have been lifted, pollution control measures under GRAP Stages 1, 2 and 3 will continue across Delhi and the National Capital Region. These include limits on polluting activities and closer monitoring of emissions to prevent a fresh spike in pollution levels.
Delhi had witnessed three consecutive days of “severe” air pollution on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, leading to the imposition of Stage 4 restrictions. On Tuesday morning, the average AQI improved to 395, marking the end of the severe spell, though pollution remained high across several locations.
According to Delhi’s Decision Support System (DSS), the transport sector was the largest contributor to pollution at 11.1 per cent, followed by Delhi and peripheral industries at 8.7 per cent. Construction activities contributed 1.4 per cent, residential emissions 2.7 per cent and energy generation 1 per cent.
Among NCR districts, Sonipat emerged as the highest contributor at 11.3 per cent, followed by Gautam Buddha Nagar (6.2 per cent), Baghpat (5.4 per cent), Muzaffarnagar (4.3 per cent), Panipat (4.1 per cent), Karnal (3.3 per cent), Ghaziabad (2.7 per cent) and Meerut (1.6 per cent).
The Air Quality Warning System has forecast that air quality is likely to remain in the “very poor” category from Wednesday to Friday.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum temperature on Tuesday was 25.7 degrees Celsius, significantly above normal, while the minimum settled at 7.2 degrees Celsius. The weather office has forecast moderate fog on Wednesday, along with isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorm activity later this week, which could influence pollution levels in the coming days.