CAQM Archives - National Times

21 Jan

Supreme Court Seeks Time-Bound Action Plans to Implement Long-Term Measures on Delhi-NCR Air Pollution

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAir Quality Index, CAQM, Delhi-NCR air pollution, Supreme Court, vehicle emissions

New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Centre, the Delhi government and other concerned agencies to submit detailed action plans within four weeks, outlining how they will implement long-term measures to tackle the worsening air quality in the Delhi-NCR region.A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, issued the direction after examining a status report filed by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati on behalf of the Commission for Air Quality Management.The court was informed that the CAQM has recommended 15 long-term measures and has…

24 Dec

CAQM Revokes GRAP Stage-IV Curbs in Delhi-NCR as Air Quality Improves

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaAQI improvement, CAQM, Delhi pollution, Delhi-NCR air quality, GRAP Stage-IV revoked

New Delhi, December 24, 2025: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday revoked the stringent restrictions imposed under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR after a noticeable improvement in air quality, officials said. The curbs had been enforced on December 13 after Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) sharply deteriorated and crossed the 450 mark, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. However, a review by the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP found that air quality improved significantly from Tuesday night due to favourable meteorological conditions, including higher wind speeds. According to officials, Delhi’s average AQI…

01 Dec

Centre Reports 90% Drop in Farm Fires in Punjab and Haryana Since 2022

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCAQM, Delhi AQI, farm fires, Haryana, Punjab, Stubble Burning

New Delhi, December 1, 2025: The Centre on Monday informed Parliament that Punjab and Haryana together recorded nearly 90 per cent fewer stubble-burning incidents during the 2025 paddy harvesting season compared to 2022. Responding to a question from Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi, Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said that while farm fires remain an “episodic event,” they intensify winter air pollution in the region.Yadav added that Delhi registered its lowest January–November average air quality index since 2018, excluding the nationwide Covid lockdown in 2020. Channi had raised concerns about Delhi’s AQI crossing 450 this year despite a reported 20 per…

25 Nov

Delhi Mandates 50% Office Attendance as Air Quality Plummets to ‘Severe’ Levels

Rajeev Sharma0 CommentsIndiaCAQM, Delhi pollution, GRAP Stage III, Office Attendance Cap, Work from home

New Delhi, November 25, 2025: In a stern measure to combat alarmingly high air pollution, the Delhi government has ordered all government and private offices to operate with only 50% of their staff physically present on-site, with the remaining workforce required to work from home (WFH). This directive falls under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was recently enforced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The government's order explicitly mandates all departments to ensure strict adherence to the 50% attendance cap to significantly reduce vehicular movement and curb pollution across the National Capital Territory.…