The restrictive pollution control measures under stages 3 and 4 of of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been revoked in Delhi as the air quality has improved in the national capital.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)’s order came hours after the Supreme Court allowed it to relax the restrictions. The stringent GRAP-4 curbs have been reduced to stage 2 which involves less stringent curbs such as a ban on the use of coal and firewood in industries and commercial establishments, including eateries.
The air quality index was recorded in the "moderate" category with a reading of 165, bringing much relief to the Delhiites.
Earlier, the top court allowed relaxation in the GRAP restrictions after noting that the AQI level did not cross 300 in the last four days in the National Capital Region. Stage-3 curbs would be introduced if AQI crossed the 350 mark and stage-4 curbs if AQI crossed 400, the court said.
The central government’s air quality panel imposed GRAP-4 pollution control measures in Delhi on November 18 as the air quality index deteriorated to ‘severe+’ for the first time this season. The AQI had touched 457 on November 17.
GRAP-4 curbs entail a ban on trucks except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel. Construction activities at public projects have been temporarily halted while non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi were prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.
