GRAP 2 curbs revoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality improves

The Commission for Air Quality Management on Wednesday revoked Stage 2 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi and the National Capital Region after air quality improved marginally amid favourable weather conditions.

Stage 2 restrictions had been in force since October 19.

In an order issued on Wednesday evening, the commission said Delhi’s Air Quality Index was recorded at 214 at 4 pm, an improvement from Tuesday’s 249. Both recordings were in the “poor” category.

The commission also said that air quality forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology suggest that in coming days, the AQI may remain in the “moderate” to “poor” category.

Based on this review, it decided to revoke the Stage 2 measures that are imposed when the air quality is in the “very poor” category.

The statement added that anti-pollution measures under Stage 1 will continue to be implemented to ensure that AQI levels do not deteriorate further.

Stage 1 of GRAP, activated when the AQI falls between 201 and 300, focuses on preventive steps such as strict dust control at construction sites, mechanised road sweeping and water sprinkling, proper waste disposal and intensified checks on polluting vehicles and industries.

Air quality deteriorates sharply in the winter months in Delhi, which is often ranked the world’s...

Read more