With this decision, the top court has further ordered CAQM to not go below the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan.

While GRAP will remain in action, the Supreme Court has further added that the commission must include some additional measures from GRAP III until the AQI further improves across the national capital region.

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, who took note of the submission of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that average AQI levels have been below the 300 mark since November 30

"It is true that at some stage the Court will have to leave it to the Commission to decide the applicability of stages under GRAP. Considering the data before us, we do not think it will be appropriate at this stage to allow the Commission to go below Stage 2. So we permit the Commission to go to stage 2 for the present. It will be appropriate if the Commission may consider incorporating certain additional measures which are part of Stage 3," stated the bench.

The court further added that if AQI levels reach 350, GRAP III will be imposed and GRAP IV measures will be re-introduced if AQI levels reach 400 and beyond.

In November, the Supreme Court held the Delhi Government and the CAQM responsible for the deterioating quality of air across the national capital region. The top court also condemned the Delhi government for its delay over implementing GRAP IV and its measures to curb pollution.

Last month, the AQI levels in Delhi crossed the "Severe Plus" category as the scale touched 1500.

With low visibility and hazardous quality of air, the Supreme Court ordered the NCT government to impose GRAP IV and stated that the restrictions will not be removed unless the court allows.