Delhi Air Quality Improves to ‘Poor’ Category, GRAP-IV Curbs Lifted

Marginal Relief in Air Quality

Delhi experienced a slight but noticeable improvement in air quality on Friday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipping into the ‘poor’ category. Official data showed the city’s average AQI at 292, a relief after severe pollution earlier this week. On December 23, the AQI had surged to a worrying 412, placing the capital in the ‘severe’ category.

Over the last two days, pollution levels have gradually declined across many parts of the city. While the air remains unhealthy, the downward trend has offered some respite to residents who had endured hazardous smog conditions.

Some Areas Record Moderate to Poor Air

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer mobile application, a few locations reported relatively better air quality early Friday morning. Lodhi Road-IITM recorded an AQI of 160, Lodhi Road-IMD stood at 194, and Najafgarh reported 188, all falling under the ‘moderate’ category.

Several other monitoring stations showed ‘poor’ air quality. Areas such as Aya Nagar, Dwarka Sector 8, IGI Airport Terminal 3, IIT Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Mandir Marg, and CRRI Mathura Road continued to struggle with elevated pollution levels, though they stayed below the ‘very poor’ mark.

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Pollution Remains High in Several Hotspots

Despite the overall improvement, many parts of Delhi continued to report ‘very poor’ air quality. Anand Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Narela, Nehru Nagar, Sonia Vihar, and Vivek Vihar recorded AQI levels well above 350. These areas remain among the city’s most polluted zones and continue to pose serious health risks.

GRAP-IV Restrictions Withdrawn After Improvement

In response to the improving air quality trend, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted Stage-IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on December 24. Officials stated that if pollution levels continue to decline, authorities may consider easing more control measures in the coming days.

Earlier, strict curbs under GRAP-IV aimed to control emissions from construction, industries, and vehicles during the peak pollution phase.

NCR Cities Show Mixed Air Quality Trends

Air quality across the wider National Capital Region remained uneven. In Haryana, Bahadurgarh recorded a ‘very poor’ AQI of 301, while Gurugram’s average AQI stood at 270, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. One monitoring station in Gurugram’s Sector 51 reported ‘very poor’ air with an AQI of 375. Dharuhera also remained in the ‘poor’ range.

In Uttar Pradesh, pollution levels stayed high. Ghaziabad, Noida, and Greater Noida all reported ‘very poor’ air quality, with AQI readings crossing 330 in several locations.

Vehicles Remain a Major Pollution Source

Vehicular emissions continue to play a major role in Delhi’s winter pollution. Experts estimate that vehicles contribute up to 40 per cent of particulate matter pollution in the NCR. The restriction allowing only BS-6 compliant vehicles into Delhi blocked around 1.2 million older vehicles registered outside the capital. Authorities hope such measures will reduce emissions and protect public health during the peak pollution season.

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