New Delhi, January 2, 2026:
Following a marked improvement in Delhi’s air quality, restrictions under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been lifted after a review by the CAQM Sub-Committee. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the improvement is the result of sustained and intensive on-ground action undertaken under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Despite the rollback of restrictions, he made it clear that anti-pollution measures across the capital will continue with the same intensity and urgency.
According to official data, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI), which stood at a severe level of 380 on Thursday, dropped sharply to 236 within 24 hours, moving the city into the ‘Poor’ category. Several areas reported even better air quality, with Bawana recording an AQI of 141, categorised as a ‘Good’ air day. Officials said the improvement reflects the cumulative impact of aggressive enforcement, extensive sanitation drives and the deployment of pollution-control technologies across the city.
Reacting to the development, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the government is encouraged by the positive trend but remains firmly focused on sustaining and further improving air quality. He said the lifting of GRAP-III restrictions should not be seen as a signal to slow down operations. “This is not the time to relax. This is the time to double our efforts and consolidate the gains we have made. Every small improvement motivates us to work harder to ensure cleaner air for Delhi every single day,” he said.
The Minister said that over the past 24 hours, the Environment Department and allied civic agencies have carried out large-scale anti-pollution operations across the city. As part of enforcement against vehicular emissions, 6,596 challans were issued to vehicles found violating pollution norms. In addition, 99 light motor vehicles were challaned for breaching entry restrictions imposed during high pollution periods.
To address dust pollution and poor sanitation, civic agencies removed nearly 12,000 metric tonnes of garbage from different zones of the capital. Mechanical sweeping operations covered 6,261 kilometres of roads to reduce dust load, particularly along major traffic corridors and high-density areas. The government also intensified its crackdown on construction and demolition waste, lifting and transporting 2,315 metric tonnes of C&D waste for scientific disposal within the same 24-hour period.
Sirsa said enforcement teams carried out 405 inspections at identified illegal dumping hotspots across Delhi. As a result, 156 enforcement actions were initiated against violators involved in open dumping and improper waste disposal. Traffic management teams also worked to ease congestion, successfully decongesting 40 major traffic bottlenecks, which officials said contributed to lowering vehicular emissions in critical stretches.
The Environment Minister said the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to tackle pollution at its source. “We have intensified action against all major contributors to pollution, including vehicular emissions, industrial waste, road dust and open dumping. At the same time, new technology is being deployed to strengthen our fight against air pollution,” he said. Smog guns and anti-smog vehicles have been strategically positioned at pollution hotspots and traffic-heavy areas, while industrial clusters are being closely monitored to ensure strict compliance with emission norms.
Highlighting the broader approach adopted by the government, Sirsa said Delhi has made significant progress over the past year in creating long-term solutions to pollution. He pointed to the accelerated biomining of legacy waste, which is now being processed at a rate of around 35 metric tonnes per day, as well as the expansion of clean-technology interventions in the industrial and transport sectors. “These unified efforts are now showing measurable and visible impact on air quality,” he said.
The Minister credited Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s leadership for strengthening civic coordination and field-level execution. He said pollution control teams are now better equipped and more responsive, allowing for faster identification and resolution of problem areas. From industrial compliance checks to real-time monitoring of dust and waste management, Sirsa said the government’s approach is focused on consistent action rather than short-term fixes.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Sirsa said Delhi’s fight against pollution is ongoing and resolute. He said the administration will continue to learn from daily data, adapt strategies where required and push for continuous improvement. “The progress we see today inspires us to aim higher tomorrow. Our goal is not just temporary relief, but a sustained improvement in Delhi’s air quality for the health and well-being of every citizen,” he said.
Officials said monitoring will remain tight in the coming days to ensure that air quality does not deteriorate again, particularly with changing weather conditions. The government has urged citizens to cooperate by following pollution-control norms and adopting environmentally responsible practices, stressing that public participation remains a key component of Delhi’s clean air mission.
