The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), mandated by the Supreme Court, on Thursday withdrew the ban on construction activities and entry of trucks and the levy of enhanced parking fees from across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), as air quality remained out of the ‘emergency’ category for the second straight day.
The measures, part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), were enforced on November 8 after the pollution levels spiked, hitting the emergency category, accompanied by thick smog.
EPCA chairperson Bhure Lal wrote to the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana on Thursday, directing them to lift the measures with “immediate effect” as the prevailing air quality does not warrant such tough action.
However, the measures enforced under the GRAP’s ‘severe’ category, including the closure of the Badarpur thermal power plant, ban on brick kilns, hot mix plants and stone crushers would remain, the EPCA said.
“We are watching the situation very carefully and we have been informed by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology that pollution may rise again because of increased moisture in the air in the coming days. However, if the conditions continue to improve and air quality stabilises, we will review the measures under the ’Severe’ category and inform you accordingly,” Mr. Bhure Lal wrote.
