Delhi Breathes Easier As Air Quality Improves, Stage-I GRAP Curbs Lifted
As Delhi's air quality gets better, the first level of pollution control rules has been removed across the NCR.
Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) on Wednesday has been recorded at 140, falling under the ‘Moderate’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily report. With a steady improvement in air quality and favourable weather forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), officials have reviewed the current situation.
AQI will continue to stay in the ‘Moderate’ range, based on the consistent improvement in air quality and forecasts, added Sub-committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
The committee decided to lift Stage-I restrictions of GRAP across the entire NCR, effective immediately. However, it was emphasized by the Commission that even after the condition has improved, all concerned departments in the Delhi and NCR must continue to implement air pollution control measures. This basically means that various departments must obey the orders, rules, and guidelines issued by either the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), CPCB, state governments, and pollution control boards.
Agencies will need to ensure that attention is paid to implementing dust control measures and keeping to the deadlines provided for in CAQM's comprehensive air pollution policy. These are steps to take to ensure that air quality does not again slip into the 'Poor' category. The CAQM Sub-Committee shall keep on monitoring the air quality and may also take forward decisions on the basis of future forecasts and levels of pollution.
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