The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday imposed stage one measures in Delhi-NCR under the Graded Response Action Plan as air quality slipped into the 'poor' category, officials said.

"The AQI of Delhi has been showing an increasing trend owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions and recorded as 226 ('Poor' Category) today. Further, the forecast by IMD and IITM has also predicted AQI to remain in the 'Poor' category in the next two days," a senior official said.

"The sub-committee of CAQM, accordingly, decided to invoke all actions under stage-1 ('Poor' air quality) of the extant GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect," the official added.

The development came a month after the CAQM revoked GRAP-1 restrictions on March 16 due to a significant improvement in air quality at the time.

Under GRAP-1, restrictions such as a ban on the use of coal and firewood as fuel in tandoors in hotels, restaurants, and open eateries, and the use of diesel generators only in emergency or essential situations are placed.

There are four stages in GRAP, each linked to the AQI at the time. The first stage, GRAP-1, kicks in when the AQI is between 201 and 300; the second stage, GRAP-2, is invoked when the AQI is between 301 and 400; GRAP-3 kicks in between 401 and 500; and GRAP-4 is invoked when the AQI is more than 450.

Published on April 17, 2026