CAQM revokes GRAP Stage-IV in Delhi-NCR following improved AQI

KOLKATA | Updated: 19 November, 2023 11:04 am IST

Signature Bridge is less visible because of Delhi's pollution (TNI photo by Sumit Kumar)

KOLKATA: Following the improved Air Quality Index in New Delhi, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region on Saturday.

“The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Sub-Committee unanimously decides to revoke Stage-IV of GRAP in the entire NCR with immediate effect, however, all actions under Stages-I to Stage-III of GRAP shall remain invoked and be implemented, monitored and reviewed,” CAQM states.

Stages I to III shall remain in implementation to keep the national capital’s AQI from slipping further into the ‘Severe’ or the ‘Severe +’ category, according to the CAQM.

FLASH: The GRAP Sub-Committee has unanimously decided to lift Stage-IV restrictions across the entire NCR with immediate effect. However, measures under Stages I to III will continue to be in force, ensuring ongoing implementation, monitoring, and review.

Reports:@joymalabagchi

— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) November 18, 2023

The decision was taken after Delhi’s AQI rested in the ‘very poor’ category with 319 on Saturday, as measured by the Central Pollution Control Board.

The sub-committee convened a meeting to review the implementation and operationalisation to improve the air quality in the Delhi-NCR. The group further went on to review the present scenario alongside the forecasting of future meteorological conditions as well as the AQI.

GRAP is an emergency response action plan invoked with a view to arrest further deterioration of adverse air quality in NCR.

The Sub-Committee in its earlier meetings had invoked actions under Stage-I, Stage-II, Stage-III and Stage-IV of GRAP. These meetings took place on October 6 and 21, as well as November 2 and 5.

The Sub-Committee shall be keeping a close watch on the air quality scenario and may take appropriate decisions depending on the air quality, as recorded from time to time in accordance with forecasts made by the India Meteorological Department.