Delhi Records Cleanest Air Since October 2025, All Pollution Curbs Lifted

All restrictions imposed in Delhi-NCR under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been revoked after a significant improvement in air quality, officials said on Monday.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said that owing to favourable meteorological conditions, the air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 119 on Monday.

"Further, the forecast by IMD and IITM indicates that AQI is likely to remain in the moderate category in the coming days," an official said.

GRAP-1 restrictions had been in force under an order issued on October 14, 2025.

The revocation of the restrictions means that curbs such as a ban on the use of coal and firewood as fuel in tandoors in hotels, restaurants and open eateries, and the use of diesel generators only in emergency or essential situations will no longer be in place.

There are four stages in GRAP, each linked to the AQI at the time.

The first stage, GRAP-1, kicks in when the AQI is between 201 and 300; the second stage, GRAP-2, is invoked when the AQI is between 301 and 400; GRAP-3 kicks in between 401 and 500; and GRAP-4 is invoked when the AQI is more than 450.

This year, GRAP-4 restrictions were implemented on January 17. Since then, as air quality improved, lower stages of GRAP kicked in.

GRAP-4 was revoked on January 20. Two days later, restrictions under GRAP-3 were lifted, and GRAP-2 measures were removed on February 18.
 

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