Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3 -- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has lifted all restrictions under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect, citing a steady improvement in air quality. However, measures under GRAP Stages I and II will remain in force.

The decision follows a sharp drop in Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI), which improved from 380 on Thursday to 236 by 4 pm on January 2, indicating a consistent downward trend in pollution levels.

In an official order, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP said the easing of pollution levels warranted the revocation of Stage III actions. At the same time, it stressed that Stages I and II would continue due to unfavoura...