Delhi air pollution: The Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) has taken a big decision due to the decline in pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. It has been decided to lift the restrictions of GRAP-1. The CAQM Sub Committee on GRAP has canceled Grap Stage-1 throughout NCR with immediate effect.

Grap-1 was implemented on Saturday (May 17) in view of increasing air pollution in Delhi-NCR. It was implemented in other cities of NCR including the national capital Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram to reduce pollution. A decision is taken in this regard by the Commission of Air Quality Index Management (CAQM).

Delhi-NCR was spoiled by air

In the last few days, the country’s capital Delhi’s pollution was disturbed. On Thursday (May 15), the air quality (AQI) in Delhi deteriorated after a dust storm. According to the Central Board of Pollution and Control Board (CPCB), on an average air quality index at 305 points in Delhi on Friday (May 16). This number reflects a very poor state of air quality.

The air quality has been continuously deteriorating in Delhi and surrounding areas for the last few days. On 15 May 2025, the air quality suddenly became very bad. The reason for this, with strong winds, kept coming from far and wide to the city. This change is a episodic, but this can affect the health of the people. In view of this, the sub-committee of the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) met on 16 May and reviewed the situation.

On May 16, Delhi’s average AQI was 278, which falls in the ‘poor’ category. According to the Meteorological Department (IMD) and IITM, air quality is expected to remain in this category on 17 May. In view of this situation, the sub-committee has decided to implement the first phase of Grap (Gradeed Response Action Plan) in the entire NCR.

What is Grap Stage-I?

The purpose of Grap is to control air pollution. Stage-I are applied when AQI is in ‘bad’ (201-300) category. Under this, there are many guidelines for government, agencies and common people.

What is expected from ordinary citizens?

• Get regular service of your vehicles and keep the PUC certificate up-to-date.
• Do not keep the vehicle unnecessarily start, especially turn off the engine on the traffic signal.
• Priority to electric or hybrid trains.
• Do not burn garbage in the open.
• Do not drive old (10-15 years) petrol/diesel vehicle.
• Complain those who spread pollution on platforms like Green Delhi App, Sameer App.
• Celebrate environmentally friendly festival and avoid using firecrackers.

Instructions for government agencies

Government agencies will have to take 27 important steps such as spraying water on the roads, measures to prevent dust, timely cleaning of waste, and following the rules at construction sites.

CAQM has made it clear that all departments should follow these measures and the general public should also cooperate. It is the responsibility of all of us to become partners in keeping the air of Delhi-NCR clean. Complete information of Grap is available at https://caqm.nic.in.