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NEW DELHI: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Thursday revoked Stages 3 and 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across NCR, citing improved air quality. However, measures under stages-1 and 2 will remain in force to manage pollution levels.
This decision follows a marked improvement in Delhi’s air quality, with the AQI recorded at 165 in the “moderate” category on Thursday. The 24-hour average AQI showed consistent improvement, down from 178 on Wednesday and a “poor” reading of 268 on Tuesday, according to the CPCB.
The easing of restrictions under GRAP stage-4, which included a ban on construction activities, comes after the Supreme Court allowed the CAQM to downgrade to Stage-2 measures.
However, the bench said that the stage-3 curbs will be reimposed if the AQI surpasses 350, and stage-4 if it exceeds 400.
The court also expressed discontent over the delayed compensation for construction workers, who have been adversely affected by the ban on construction activities due to high pollution levels.
The Delhi Chief Secretary was threatened with contempt proceedings after the government paid only Rs 2,000 to each of the 90,000 registered workers, far short of the Rs 8,000 promised to them. The Chief Secretary assured the court that the remaining Rs 6,000 would be disbursed by the following day.
SC had earlier declined to ease the emergency measures under GRAP-4, until there was a “downward trend” in the Air Quality Index (AQI).
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