Curbs on diesel vehicles eased in Delhi as air quality improves

The central Commission for Air Quality Management has eased some restrictions that were introduced to curb pollution in Delhi as the air quality improved marginally in the city.

Entry of trucks into Delhi is now allowed, and the ban on non-BS 6 diesel vehicles has been removed. The order to shut all industries in Delhi has also been lifted.

However, primary schools will stay shut till November 8, and outdoor activities have been barred in all schools.

They were banned under level four – the highest – of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which kicks in when air quality deteriorates to the “severe” category.

Air quality in Delhi has improved marginally to an AQI of 339 which is which is about 111 points below the threshold for imposing GRAP-4.

But the air quality is still in the “very poor” category that can cause respiratory diseases due to long hours of exposure.

Construction and demolition activities linked to highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission and pipelines are allowed.

“The GRAP Stage-4 is a disruptive stage of restrictions and impacts a large number of stakeholders and public at large. There are no stricter measures, than as laid in GRAP Stage-4, that could be taken to improve upon the air quality scenario,” the Commission for Air Quality Management said in a statement today.

The ban on non-essential construction activities and closing brick kilns, however, still stands as they fall under GRAP-3.