Big Relief For Delhi: GRAP-IV Lifted, Stage I-III To Continue
Officials said Delhi’s daily average AQI has shown improvement over the past few days. The AQI stood at 440 on January 18, improved to 410 on January 19, and further dropped to 378 on Tuesday.
Delhi-NCR witnessed a marginal improvement in air quality on Tuesday, prompting authorities to withdraw the strictest curbs under GRAP Stage IV, while continuing restrictions under Stage III. Officials said the decision was taken after the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was recorded at 378, indicating a slight easing from the “severe” category seen in recent days. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said GRAP measures will remain under close monitoring to prevent a fresh spike. Residents were urged to follow the restrictions still in place to ensure pollution levels do not worsen again, as agencies remain on alert for any deterioration.
CAQM Removes Stage IV After AQI Improvement
In an order, the CAQM clarified that while Stage IV restrictions have been lifted, curbs under Stages I, II and III will continue. The commission appealed to the public and enforcement agencies to strictly comply with the existing measures, warning that lax implementation could push pollution back into the severe zone.
GRAP Stage IV had been imposed on January 17 as Delhi’s average AQI rose sharply, triggering emergency-level interventions aimed at limiting vehicular emissions, construction dust and industrial pollution.
AQI Drops From 440 To 378
Officials said Delhi’s daily average AQI has shown improvement over the past few days. The AQI stood at 440 on January 18, improved to 410 on January 19, and further dropped to 378 on Tuesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) daily bulletin.
Despite the decline, authorities cautioned that air quality remains in the “very poor” bracket and could worsen due to unfavourable weather conditions or increased emissions.
Agencies On Alert To Prevent GRAP-IV Return
The CAQM said all concerned agencies across the NCR will continue monitoring and enforcement to ensure pollution levels do not rise again in the coming days. Agencies have been asked to intensify action under the currently active GRAP stages, especially Stage III, so that authorities do not have to reimpose Stage IV restrictions.
The GRAP sub-committee will keep a close watch on air quality trends and review conditions regularly. Further decisions will be taken based on pollution readings, along with weather updates and AQI forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and IITM.
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