CAQM Imposes Anti-Pollution Curbs In Delhi Under GRAP 1 As Air Quality Slips To 'Poor'

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Tuesday invoked Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR with the air quality being in the “poor” quality.

According to an order issued, the decision was taken after Delhi recorded an AQI of 208. “The AQI of Delhi has shown increasing trend and recorded as 208 (‘Poor’ Category) today i.e. on 19.05.2026. Further, the forecast by IMD/ IITM indicates AQI to remain in ‘Poor’ category in coming days.”

“The Sub-Committee, accordingly, decides to invoke all actions under Stage-I (‘Poor’ Air Quality| of the extant GRAI’ in the entire NCR, with immediate effect,” it stated.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI of 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’,

101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and 401-500 ‘severe’.

“Actions under Stage-l of the extant GITAP shall be implemented, monitored and reviewed by all the agencies concerned in the entire NCR to ensure that the AQI levels do not slip further,” the order stated.

It also directed the implementing agencies to keep strict vigil and intensify measures of the extant GRAP schedule.