Commission for Air Quality Management Archives

May172025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Delhi Air Quality Crisis: Emergency Steps Trigger Political Feud as Pollution Surges

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

Delhi NCR is once again grappling with a severe air pollution episode, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to enforce Stage-I measures of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on May 16. The decision follows a rapid rise in the city’s pollution levels, driven by strong winds that carried dust from distant regions, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to a concerning 278. Forecasts by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicate that these poor air quality conditions are likely to persist at least through May 17. Despite recent official claims of progress, with only two ‘poor’ air days recorded in the first half of May 2025 the lowest in four years the sudden spike has reignited political fault lines. Th...

Dust Drift from Pakistan Dims Delhi Skies as Heat, Pollution Intensify

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

A new wave of dust from northern Pakistan has begun sweeping into Delhi-NCR raising fresh concerns over the capital’s air quality amid rising heat. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) strong lower-level westerly winds are carrying the dust through Punjab and Haryana into the heart of Delhi threatening to reverse recent gains in pollution control. While visibility in areas like Palam has improved to 4,000 meters far above the threshold that defines a dust storm the increase in airborne particulates has pushed Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) back into the ‘poor’ category. The Central Pollution Control Board reported an alarming AQI of 350 in Punjabi Bagh with several neighborhoods following suit. This resurgence of pollution comes after a short-lived improvement that...

Delhi Breathes Easier: CAQM Lifts GRAP Stage-I as Air Quality Improves

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Environment

In a breath of fresh air for Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has officially lifted Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) after the region’s Air Quality Index (AQI) showed a promising shift to the 'Moderate' category. The decision, rooted in favorable meteorological forecasts and sustained improvement in air conditions, marks a welcome pause in emergency pollution control measures that had been in effect since early April. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday announced the revocation of Stage-I restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi and its adjoining National Capital Region (NCR). The decision follows a review by the Sub-Committee on GRAP, which took into account the latest AQI trends and weather ...