New Delhi, March 16 All restrictions imposed in the Delhi-NCR region under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been lifted following a significant improvement in air quality, officials said on Monday.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said that due to favorable weather conditions, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded at 119 on Monday.
"Furthermore, forecasts from the IMD and IITM indicate that the AQI is likely to remain in the moderate category in the coming days," an official said.
The GRAP-1 restrictions had been in effect since an order issued on October 14, 2025.
The lifting of the restrictions means that measures 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, will no longer be in place.
There are four stages in GRAP, each linked to the AQI at the time.
The first stage, GRAP-1, is activated 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 is activated between 401 and 500; and GRAP-4 is invoked when the AQI is more than 450.
This year, GRAP-4 restrictions were implemented on January 17. Since then, as air quality improved, lower stages of GRAP have been activated.
GRAP-4 was lifted on January 20. Two days later, restrictions under GRAP-3 were lifted, and GRAP-2 measures were removed on February 18.