New Delhi, 2 January – The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has lifted the Phase-3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) following a slight improvement in air quality across Delhi-NCR.

Officials stated that stronger winds helped improve the Air Quality Index (AQI), prompting the decision. The GRAP sub-committee reviewed the situation in a meeting held on Friday and decided to remove the severe Phase-3 measures.

A CAQM official said the sub-committee annulled the December 13, 2025 order that had imposed the strict Phase-3 restrictions for ‘severe’ pollution levels with immediate effect. However, the committee recommended stricter enforcement of Phase-1 and Phase-2 actions to prevent air quality deterioration.

The meeting also examined the current air quality status along with forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). The GRAP phases were implemented through orders dated October 14, October 19, and December 13, 2025, respectively.

Sub-committee chairperson S.D. Atri stated in the order that although Phase-3 has been revoked, citizens are urged to strictly follow the citizen charter under Phases 1 and 2, especially during the winter months when weather conditions may worsen pollution. The aim is to ensure the AQI does not again reach ‘severe’ or ‘severe plus’ categories.

The order clarified that all measures under Phase-1 and Phase-2, as revised on November 21, 2025, will continue across the NCR region. These will be closely monitored and regularly reviewed by all concerned agencies. Implementation bodies have been instructed to enhance vigilance and enforcement of Phase-1 and Phase-2 measures.

The sub-committee also emphasized that construction and demolition sites closed due to violations of statutory rules must not resume operations without explicit permission from the commission. This directive will be strictly enforced.

It is noteworthy that on October 19, the sub-committee had unanimously issued a 12-point action plan under Phase-2, building upon existing Phase-1 measures. Responsibility for strict enforcement was assigned to the pollution control boards of the NCR states and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

Key actions included daily mechanized cleaning and water sprinkling on major roads, increased machinery shifts, application of anti-dust agents at pollution hotspots and traffic corridors before peak hours, strict monitoring of construction sites, targeted intervention in sensitive areas, and ensuring uninterrupted power supply to limit diesel generator use.