India, April 16 -- The Government of India has issued a release:

The Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) today invoked all actions under Stage-I of the extant GRAP with immediate effect across the entire NCR, after Delhi's daily average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded 226, placing it in the 'Poor' category (AQI range: 201-300), as per the daily AQI Bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Sub-Committee convened today to take stock of the prevailing air quality scenario in Delhi-NCR. Upon a comprehensive review of current conditions and weather and meteorological forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), it was noted that Delhi's AQI has been on an increasing trend owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions. IMD/IITM forecasts further indicate that the AQI is likely to remain in the 'Poor' category over the next two days.

In view of this, the Sub-Committee directed the implementation of all 31 actions under Stage-I of the extant GRAP with immediate effect across the entire NCR. These steps are:

These measures are to be implemented, monitored, and reviewed by all concerned agencies, including the Pollution Control Boards of NCR States and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), with the objective of preventing any further deterioration in air quality levels.

All implementing agencies have been directed to maintain strict vigilance and intensify measures as per the GRAP schedule. The Sub-Committee has also urged citizens of the NCR to cooperate in the implementation of GRAP and to strictly adhere to the Citizen Charter under Stage-I of the extant GRAP.

The Sub-Committee will continue to closely monitor the air quality situation and undertake periodic reviews to determine whether further action is warranted, based on prevailing AQI levels and forecasts by IMD/IITM. The comprehensive schedule of the extant GRAP is available on the Commission's official website at: https://caqm.nic.in.

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.