GRAP Stage-I Revoked as Delhi AQI Improves to 140

16 Jun 2025 CW Team

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 140 on 15 June 2025, categorised as 'Moderate', according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily bulletin. With steady improvement in air quality and favourable forecasts from IITM and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has revoked Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect.

The decision was made during a review meeting of the CAQM’s Sub-Committee on GRAP, which assessed overall regional air quality data and meteorological projections. The consistent trend of moderate AQI readings, aided by weather conditions, influenced the withdrawal of restrictive measures under GRAP Stage-I that had been enforced since 7 June 2025.

Despite this relaxation, all departments and agencies across NCR and the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have been instructed to rigorously implement all statutory directions and pollution control measures previously issued by the Commission, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), CPCB, and local authorities.

To sustain the improved air quality and prevent a relapse into the ‘Poor’ category, stakeholders have been urged to prioritise dust mitigation, enforce regulations, and follow targeted actions under CAQM’s comprehensive anti-pollution strategy.

The Sub-Committee confirmed that it will continue to closely monitor air quality developments and forecasts from IMD and IITM and will reassess the situation periodically to take further decisions as needed.

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