GRAP 2 restrictions revoked in Delhi-NCR as air quality levels show improvement: CAQM

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) revoked GRAP Stage-II restrictions in Delhi-NCR after an improvement in air quality levels amid changing weather conditions, according to officials.

“The AQI of Delhi has shown improvement owing to favourable meteorological conditions and has been recorded 214 at 4 p.m. today. Further, the forecast by IMD/ IITM indicates that AQI is likely to remain in poor or moderate category in coming days,” a CAQM official said.

Stage- I and II of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) are in force since October 14 and October 19 last year, respectively.

Light rain was witnessed at different parts of Delhi on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) with the minimum temperature settling at 15.8°C, 4.8 degrees above the season’s average.

Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 227 at 9 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The CPCB classifies an AQI between 0 and 50 as ‘good’, 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 as ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 as ‘poor’, 301 to 400 as ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 as ‘severe’.