AQI Drops To Moderate Levels As Delhi Lifts GRAP Measures

Delhi witnessed a clear improvement in air quality, as AQI readings across many monitoring stations dropped into satisfactory and moderate bands.

Officials subsequently removed all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan throughout the NCR.

Air quality levels improved in several areas, with Ashok Vihar at 144, Aya Nagar at 132, and Bawana at 165. Burari Crossing recorded 120, while CRRI Mathura Road stood at 121. Other localities such as Delhi Cantonment (122), Chandni Chowk (134), and the Commonwealth Sports Complex (133) also reported better conditions.

DTU recorded 93, and areas like Dwarka Sector-8 (157), IGI Airport (T3) (129), IIT Delhi (127), JNU (113), and Narela (140) remained within acceptable limits. Mundka (170), Patparganj (164), Rohini (174), Shadipur (185), and Wazirpur (197) continued to register moderate pollution levels.

The Commission for Air Quality Management credited favourable meteorological conditions for the improvement.

Forecasts from the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology indicate that AQI levels are likely to remain in the moderate category in the near future. The overall AQI for the city stood at 119 on Monday.

Following the rollback of GRAP, authorities have removed several restrictions. Officials have lifted the earlier ban on using coal and firewood in tandoors at eateries and now allow diesel generator operations beyond emergency use.

The Graded Response Action Plan is divided into four stages based on AQI levels:

• Stage 1 applies when AQI is between 201 and 300,
• Stage 2 between 301 and 400,
• Stage 3 between 401 and 500, and
• Stage 4 when AQI exceeds 450

Authorities had enforced the strictest GRAP-4 measures on January 17 due to severe pollution. As conditions improved, they gradually lifted the restrictions—revoking GRAP-4 on January 20, followed by GRAP-3 soon after, and finally removing GRAP-2 on February 18.

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