New Delhi: Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 318 according to the daily AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on 18 January. In light of a significant improvement in Delhi’s average air quality, the Sub-Committee for the operationalization of actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) convened today to assess the current air quality scenario in the region. The committee also reviewed forecasts for meteorological conditions and the air quality index provided by IMD/IITM, subsequently making an informed decision on preventive/restrictive actions under Stage-III of GRAP, which have been in effect across the entire National Capital Region (NCR) since 14.01.2024.
During a comprehensive review of the overall air quality parameters in Delhi-NCR, the Sub-Committee observed the following:
The AQI of Delhi has steadily improved, registering at 316 at 2:00 P.M., which is 85 AQI points below the threshold for invoking GRAP Stage-III actions (Delhi AQI 401-450). While preventive/mitigative/restrictive actions under all stages, up to Stage-III, are underway, there is a likelihood of sustaining the improvement in AQI. The forecasts by IMD/IITM also do not indicate any significant deterioration, and there is a likelihood of the AQI remaining in the ‘Very Poor’/’Poor’ category in the next few days.
Given the disruptive nature of restrictions under Stage-III of GRAP, impacting a large number of stakeholders and the public, and considering the significant improvement in the average AQI of Delhi, as well as forecasts by IMD/IITM not indicating a shift to the ‘Severe’ category in the coming days, the Sub-Committee for the operationalization of actions under GRAP unanimously decided to revoke Stage-III of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect. Actions under Stage-I to Stage-II of GRAP, however, shall remain invoked, implemented, monitored, and reviewed by all concerned agencies in the entire NCR. Agencies are urged to maintain strict vigilance and intensify measures under Stage-I & II of GRAP to prevent the implementation of Stage-III of GRAP actions due to a further decline in AQI levels.
Furthermore, C&D project sites and industrial units that have received specific closure orders due to violations/non-compliances of various statutory directions, rules, guidelines, etc., shall not resume operations without a specific order from the Commission.
The CAQM Sub-Committee, in its earlier meetings, had invoked actions under Stage-I, Stage-II, Stage-III, and Stage-IV of the revised GRAP on 06.10.2023, 21.10.2023, 02.11.2023, and 05.11.2023, respectively. Following periodic reviews of Delhi’s air quality and forecasts from IMD/IITM, the Sub-Committee revoked actions under Stage-IV and Stage-III of GRAP on 18.11.2023 and 28.11.2023, respectively. Actions under Stage-III of GRAP were re-invoked on 22.12.2023 (revoked on 01.01.2024) and 14.01.2024, respectively.
The Commission once again urges all agencies responsible for the implementation of various actions listed under Stages – I & II of GRAP, and citizens/residents to strictly implement and follow the provisions/charter of GRAP under Stage-I and Stage II to obviate the need for the re-imposition of Stage-III of GRAP in NCR.
The Sub-Committee will closely monitor the air quality scenario and may make appropriate decisions based on the recorded air quality and forecasts from IMD/IITM. The revised schedule of GRAP is available on the Commission’s website and can be accessed via https://caqm.nic.in/ .