By: Express Web DeskUpdated: January 2, 2026 07:31 PM IST 4 min readAs per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0–50 is ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’ and 401–500 ‘severe’. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)Delhi Air Quality Update: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Friday revoked all curbs imposed under Stage-3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and other places in the National Capital Region (NCR) following an improvement in air quality. The decision took effect immediately.Air Quality Index (AQI) numbers showed a significant decline from 380 on Thursday to 236 by 4 pm Friday, prompting a review by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP, an official told news agency PTI. Based on this, the panel chose to withdraw all actions that apply under Stage-3 (Severe air quality). However, Stage-1 and Stage-2 actions remain in force across NCR.ALSO READ | As Gurgaon partied, social worker Gauri Sarin and other volunteers welcomed the New Year with a 24-hour fast demanding a pollution-free cityWhat is GRAP?GRAP stands for Graded Response Action Plan, a pre-defined sequence of steps to control pollution based on daily AQI levels and forecasts from weather agencies. The plan activates higher stages as pollution worsens.As per CPCB standards, an AQI between 0–50 is ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’ and 401–500 ‘severe’.Each stage includes specific pollution-control measures. When a higher stage is triggered, measures from all lower stages continue along with the new actions.ALSO READ | We shouldn’t have to wait for GRAP-3 to tackle pollution in DelhiStage-3 and what revoking it meansStage 3 of GRAP is invoked when air quality reaches or is forecast to reach the ‘severe’ range. Under this stage, authorities must implement a 9-point action plan that targets major sources of pollution and reduces emissions quickly. Agencies such as the Pollution Control Boards and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee enforce these steps.Typical Stage-3 measures include:Restriction or halt of construction and demolition operations that generate dust and particulate matter.Control of vehicle emissions, including limits on certain heavy and polluting vehicles.Regulation of industrial activity with high emissions.Monitoring by enforcement agencies across NCR to ensure compliance.Revocation of Stage-3 curbs means that the CAQM has concluded that air quality no longer meets the criteria that require Stage-3 measures. The step brings the region back to lower stages of the emergency response, where:Story continues below this adAgencies must still enforce Stage-1 and Stage-2 steps until the CAQM issues a new order. This ensures ongoing measures remain aligned with current air quality trends.Directions under Stage-I & IIStage-I CAQM directs agencies to:Ensure an uninterrupted power supply to minimise the need for alternative power sources, such as diesel generators.Synchronise traffic movement and deploy personnel at intersections to keep traffic flowing.Issue alerts in newspapers, TV, and radio advising people about air pollution levels and recommended dos and don’ts.Increase public transport availability by augmenting the CNG/electric bus fleet and metro services, including adjusting schedules and fares to encourage travel outside peak hours.Stage-IIUnder this stage, authorities implement additional measures on top of Stage-I steps. CAQM instructs governments to:Stagger office timings for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi and selected districts of the NCR to reduce peak traffic loads.Consider staggered timings for central government offices across the region.Ensure water is sprinkled on roads daily, along with dust suppressants, preferably before peak traffic hoursEnhance vehicle parking fees to discourage private transport.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd