Delhi’s air quality improves, GRAP II curbs lifted

So far, February has been the cleanest since 2016, with the monthly average AQI recorded at 217. It has so far seen 11 ‘moderate’ days, 10 ‘poor’ air days and three ‘very poor’ air days.

After 126 days of the anti-pollution measures being in effect since October 21 last year, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and Adjoining Areas issued an order Monday evening regarding revoking GRAP Stage II.

Forecasts by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate the likelihood of the air quality remaining in the ‘moderate’ or lower-end of the ‘poor’ category”, the Commission noted in the order.

“Owing to improvement in mixing height and ventilation coefficient and much favourable meteorological conditions for the dispersion of pollutants, the AQI of Delhi has since shown a significant improvement. The AQI of Delhi has been recorded as 186 for 24.02.2025, which is 114 points below the 300 mark to implement Stage Il as per the extant directives of the Hon’ble Supreme Court,” the order read.

Curbs under Stage I of the GRAP remain invoked. In 2024, GRAP was fully lifted in the Capital on March 9.

According to the IMD, very light to light rain is on the forecast for Thursday and Friday. There were two rainy days logged in the Capital this month; Delhi faces a 92% deficit in monthly rainfall as only 1.4 mm of rainfall was observed, contrary to the normal 17.8 mm for the month.