CAQM Sub-Committee Revokes Stage-I GRAP Restrictions in NCR

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Amid Easing of pollution levels, restrictions on vehicles as part of GRAP Stag-1 were revoked by CAQM Sub-committee

By TRH News Desk

NEW DELHI, June 15, 2025– In a significant development for residents of Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has revoked Stage-I restrictions across the National Capital Region with immediate effect. The decision was taken following a consistent improvement in Delhi’s air quality over recent days.

According to the daily Air Quality Index (AQI) bulletin released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 140 on Saturday, placing it in the ‘Moderate’ category. Favorable meteorological conditions and positive forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) also contributed to the decision.

The Sub-Committee, after a comprehensive review of the current air quality scenario, observed that the trend of improvement is likely to continue, with forecasts indicating that Delhi’s AQI will largely remain within the ‘Moderate’ range in the coming days.

“In view of the consistent improvement in Delhi’s air quality and considering the favorable weather forecasts, the Sub-Committee has unanimously decided to revoke Stage-I restrictions of the GRAP in the entire NCR, effective immediately,” CAQM said in a statement issued through the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Stage-I of GRAP includes various precautionary measures aimed at preventing the air quality from slipping into the ‘Poor’ category. These include restrictions on certain polluting activities, enhanced monitoring of construction sites, control of dust emissions, and strict enforcement against open burning of waste.

Delhi Smog: Solution Lies in Whole of Govt & Society Approaches

While the revocation of Stage-I restrictions signals a positive turn, the CAQM has urged all concerned state government agencies, the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD), and pollution control boards to continue implementing all statutory directions, advisories, and orders to sustain the improved air quality.

“Agencies need to ensure full compliance with rules, regulations, and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoE&FCC), the CPCB, respective State Governments, and pollution control boards to avoid any deterioration in air quality,” the statement added.

The Commission also emphasized the need for ongoing field-level actions, particularly dust mitigation measures, as outlined in its comprehensive policy to curb air pollution in the NCR. Agencies have been reminded to adhere to the targeted timelines set for various pollution control measures to ensure that the recent gains in air quality are not reversed.

The CAQM Sub-Committee will continue to monitor the air quality situation closely and review developments regularly to determine if any further interventions are necessary, depending on the air quality readings and forecasts provided by IMD and IITM.

The revocation of Stage-I comes after the restrictions were first imposed on June 7 as a precautionary step when pollution levels showed signs of worsening due to changing weather patterns and rising temperatures.

Delhi-NCR residents, who often grapple with severe air pollution episodes particularly in winter months, have welcomed the temporary relief, though experts caution that sustained efforts are necessary to achieve long-term improvement in air quality.

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