Short Description
Delhi’s air quality has seen an improvement, leading to the revocation of Stage-III restrictions. However, challenges remain as other Indian cities struggle with similar pollution issues.
Read Time
3 minutes
Main Article
On Thursday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) announced the revocation of Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to a notable reduction in Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI, which had previously reached severe levels, is currently at 322, aided by favorable weather conditions. While this improvement is a welcome development, forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) indicate that air quality may fluctuate between ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ in the upcoming days.
The revocation of Stage-III restrictions means that certain high-impact activities previously banned, such as non-essential construction and demolition, can resume. Under these measures, operations like piling, welding, and transportation of several construction materials were halted to combat the severe pollution levels affecting Delhi-NCR. However, the CAQM plans to maintain Stage-I and Stage-II measures, which focus on stricter regulations to avoid any further decline in air quality.
Notably, these restrictions on non-essential activities were complemented by vehicular limitations. The ban included older models of petrol and diesel vehicles, which are significant contributors to urban air pollution. While essential services remained exempt, the strict prohibitions aimed to safeguard public health and mitigate the environmental crisis. The CAQM emphasized that any construction sites closed for rule violations cannot resume work without explicit permission. Authorities are also urged to remain vigilant as winter approaches, a season notorious for air quality degradation in urban areas.
Experts’ reviews highlight that while Delhi’s situation is closely monitored, other Indian cities are grappling with equally severe pollution challenges. Many urban centers across India exhibit AQI levels comparable to, if not worse than, those seen in Delhi. This broader environmental issue prompts a need for systemic changes and stringent policies nationwide to effectively curb pollution levels.
Short Summary
The recent lifting of Stage-III restrictions in Delhi marks a positive turn in air quality management, yet ongoing vigilance is essential. While Delhi improves, many other cities face similar pollution concerns, indicating a broader need for impactful environmental policies across India. As the winter months approach, monitoring and adherence to air quality regulations will be crucial in mitigating public health risks linked to pollution.
