Delhi Air Pollution Update: Supreme Court Relaxes GRAP 4 Restrictions To Stage 2, Directs Swift Action If AQI Crosses 350

The Supreme Court on Thursday (5 December) permitted the relaxation of GRAP Stage 4 measures to Stage 2 in Delhi, while directing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage 3 or 4 immediately on any day when the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 350 or 400.

The court emphasized that it will continue monitoring the implementation of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) measures.

The apex court also recommended that CAQM retain some additional curbs from GRAP Stage 3 until the AQI shows further improvement in Delhi-NCR. It instructed the air quality panel to ensure restrictions do not fall below Stage 2 levels in the region.

Delhi's air quality improved significantly on Thursday, with the AQI settling in the ‘moderate’ category at 161, as per PTI. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that out of 38 monitoring stations, only six recorded air quality in the ‘poor’ category.

For context, an AQI range of 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.

Meanwhile, the city's minimum temperature dropped slightly below normal, registering at 8.5 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The forecast for the day predicts mainly clear skies, with a maximum temperature likely to hover around 27 degrees Celsius.

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