New Delhi : The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has announced the withdrawal of Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), effective immediately from January 2, 2025.
The decision was taken after the CAQM Sub-Committee observed a marked improvement in the city’s air quality, largely attributed to favorable weather conditions, including strong winds. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped to 236 by 4:00 PM on January 2, reflecting a downward trend since morning hours.
Key Observations
- Meteorological forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) suggest that AQI levels will likely remain in the Poor to Very Poor category in the coming days.
- Despite the improvement, the Sub-Committee emphasized that vigilance must continue, as winter conditions can quickly worsen air quality.
- Stage-III restrictions, which had been in place since December 13, 2025, were deemed disruptive for businesses and the public, prompting the revocation.
What Remains in Force
- Stage-I and Stage-II measures under GRAP (November 2025 schedule) will continue to be enforced across NCR.
- Agencies have been directed to intensify monitoring and ensure compliance to prevent the need for reintroducing Stage-III restrictions.
- Construction and demolition sites that were shut due to violations will not be allowed to resume operations unless specifically cleared by the Commission.
Advisory for Citizens
Residents are urged to follow the citizen charter under Stage-I and Stage-II guidelines to help maintain the improving air quality. Authorities will keep a close watch on pollution levels and may revise measures depending on future forecasts.
For detailed information, the updated GRAP schedule is available on the CAQM’s official website: https://caqm.nic.in.
