Fri Jan 17 04:58:39 UTC 2025: ## Delhi Air Quality Improves, but Restrictions Remain

**New Delhi, January 16** – Delhi’s severe air pollution crisis has temporarily eased, with the revocation of the strictest Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP IV) restrictions late Thursday. Rain and improved wind speeds brought the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) down from 386 to 302, placing it in the “very poor” category.

However, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has maintained GRAP III restrictions across the National Capital Region (NCR) as a precautionary measure. This means continued limitations such as hybrid classes for students up to Class V, a ban on older petrol and diesel vehicles (BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel light motor vehicles), and the suspension of demolition and mining activities.

The reprieve may be short-lived. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Friday, predicting dense to very dense fog. A yellow alert is in effect for the weekend, with moderate to dense fog anticipated. Rainfall is forecast for January 21st and 22nd. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) predicts fluctuating air quality between “poor” and “very poor” in the coming days. Thursday’s light rain significantly improved visibility and lifted the heavy fog.

**(Note: The final paragraph about the BCCI guidelines is unrelated to the air quality story and has been omitted from this news article.)**

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