A big relief news has come for the residents of Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR). In view of the improvement in air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has removed the stringent restrictions imposed under GRAP-4 with immediate effect.
Stalled construction work will start again
This means that long-stalled construction work can resume and non-essential trucks have been allowed to enter the city. However, experts and officials have clarified that this decision does not completely ignore the control of air pollution. The first three phases of GRAP, i.e. Phase-1, 2 and 3, will still be applicable.
Under these phases, necessary measures to reduce pollution will continue, so that air quality continues to improve and pollution levels do not increase suddenly. Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) had recently reached the ‘very poor’ category, but fell below the ‘severe+’ level, so officials decided to lift the GRAP-4 restrictions. CAQM says that this step has been taken as per the guidelines of the Supreme Court and the recommendations of environmental experts.
According to experts, recent changes in weather have also played an important role in improving air quality. Due to changing direction of winds and rain, the pollutants present in the air have reduced, due to which the air of the city has become cleaner to some extent.
Officials appeal to the public
Officials have appealed to the public to cooperate in pollution control. For this, it has been suggested to adopt activities like maximum use of public transport, reducing the number of private vehicles and avoiding burning unnecessary fires. Besides, people have also been asked to continue using air purifiers and masks to prevent air pollution in homes and offices.
This change will not only provide breathing relief to the people of Delhi-NCR, but will also accelerate business and construction activities. Officials believe that if all citizens remain alert and follow pollution control measures, the air quality can improve further in the coming times.
Thus, the decision to lift the GRAP-4 ban is a relief step for the city residents, but it will prove to be effective only if the public also actively participates in the efforts to reduce pollution.
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