Delhi Breathes Cleanest Air Of Jan-March Period In 3 Years, GRAP Lifted As AQI ‘Satisfactory’ At 85

Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) confirmed that Delhi recorded an average AQI of 85, the lowest in the last three years for the period from 1st January to 15th March.

Representational Image | Delhi witnessed its cleanest air in three years from January 1 to March 15, with an AQI of 85, the first "Satisfactory" reading of 2025.

Source : PTI

Delhi registered its cleanest air between January 1 and March 15 in the past three years on Saturday, as per the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) confirmed that the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 85 at 4 p.m., placing it in the 'Satisfactory' category, marking this category the first of 2025.

As per the AQI scale, readings between 0-50 are considered 'Good,' 51-100 'Satisfactory,' 101-200 'Moderate,' 201-300 'Poor,' 301-400 'Very Poor,' and 401-500 'Severe.'

Sharing the report on X, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) wrote, "Today, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 85, the lowest in the last three years for the period from 1st January to 15th March. Today’s AQI is also the first day of the current year with a 'Satisfactory' AQI (AQI 51-100)." It further stated that Delhi since 2020, has seen a 'Satisfactory' AQI in March 2025 for the first time in five years.

Today, Delhi recorded an average AQI of 85, the lowest in the last three years for the period from 01st January to 15th March. Today’s AQI is also the first day of the current year with a ‘Satisfactory’ AQI (AQI 51-100).
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— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) March 15, 2025

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature of Delhi on Saturday reached 33°C, exceeding the seasonal average by 4.1°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The minimum temperature was recorded at 18.7°C, with humidity levels fluctuating between 62 per cent and 50 per cent, as per news agency PTI.

On Friday, the city experienced its hottest day of the year so far, with the mercury soaring to 36.2°C—7.3°C above normal. The IMD has forecast generally cloudy skies with light rain or drizzle on Sunday. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 32°C and 17°C, respectively.

GRAP Stage-I Curbs Revoked In Delhi

Following the improvement in AQI, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) planned to lift the restrictions imposed under Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect in Delhi and NCR region.

The CAQM made its decision after Delhi's AQI was recorded at 85 on March 15, 2025—116 points below the threshold of 201 required to enforce Stage-I restrictions. Consequently, the Sub-Committee decided to revoke its March 7, 2025, order, which had implemented Stage-I ('Poor' Air Quality) measures under the existing Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR), with immediate effect, according to a report by news agency ANI.

"AQI of Delhi has shown significant improvement due to favourable winds, light rain/drizzling and improved meteorological conditions prevailing in Delhi-NCR. The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 85 for March 15, 2025 (in the 'Satisfactory' category). Further, the forecast by IMD/IITM also predicts AQI to mainly remain in 'Satisfactory to Moderate' category in coming days," said Director (Technical) RK Agrawal, the member convenor of the sub-committee on GRAP.

The directive urged all relevant agencies in the NCR to maintain the current improved air quality levels and prevent a decline into the "Poor" category. It also stressed the importance of taking proactive measures to control air pollution, with a particular focus on dust mitigation efforts.

"All the agencies concerned are also required to take note of various actions and the targeted timelines as envisaged in the comprehensive policy issued by the Commission to curb air pollution in the NCR and take appropriate actions accordingly in the field, particularly the dust mitigation measures for C&D activities & Roads/Open areas, which becomes a predominant factor in the coming months determining the air quality in Delhi-NCR," the order read.