New Delhi, February 18: Following a continuous improvement in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has lifted Stage 2 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the National Capital Region (NCR) as of Wednesday.
This decision was made by the GRAP sub-committee after reviewing the latest air quality data and weather forecasts. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 214 on Wednesday, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, although a significant decline in pollution levels has been observed.
Due to favorable weather conditions, the AQI improved from 261 recorded on February 16 to 249 on February 17, and further down to 214 on February 18.
Based on forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), it is expected that the AQI will remain in the ‘moderate’ category in the coming days.
In a statement, the commission noted, “Considering the trend of improvement in Delhi’s average AQI, the sub-committee unanimously decided to immediately lift the existing Stage 2 GRAP across the NCR.”
However, officials clarified that all measures under Stage 1 of GRAP will remain in effect. Agencies responsible for implementation in the NCR have been directed to intensify and strictly enforce Stage 1 actions to prevent any new deterioration in air quality.
Officials stated that the GRAP mechanism, which determines graded restrictions based on pollution levels, had initially implemented Stage 2 on October 19, 2025, when an increase in AQI levels was observed.
The commission emphasized that strict monitoring will continue, and agencies must remain vigilant to ensure that pollution levels do not rise again. Citizens have also been advised to follow guidelines under Stage 1 to help maintain the improvements.
The sub-committee will closely monitor air quality conditions and will periodically review the situation based on real-time data and forecasts for future decisions.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Readspecializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.
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