In a significant move, the Centre has announced the removal of Stage III restrictions across the National Capital Region (NCR) due to a remarkable improvement in air quality. The decision, effective immediately, comes following a directive from the Centre’s pollution control panel.
Initiated on November 2, Stage III restrictions encompassed a halt on non-essential construction work, stone crushing, and mining in Delhi-NCR. Moreover, this stage imposed limitations on the operation of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar.
The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution, convened in response to the noteworthy enhancement in Delhi-NCR’s overall air quality. The decision to revoke Stage III restrictions was taken after a thorough assessment of air quality forecasts provided by the India Meteorological Department and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
The CAQM affirmed that the forthcoming air quality forecasts do not indicate a shift to the ‘severe’ category for Delhi’s average air quality in the foreseeable future, based on available forecasts.
The recorded 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the city displayed a promising improvement, marking a decline from 395 on Monday to 312 on Tuesday at 4 pm. This notable shift reflects the positive strides made in enhancing the region’s air quality.
The lifting of restrictions on petrol and diesel vehicles signifies a positive step toward normalizing vehicular operations while acknowledging the collective efforts to improve and sustain a healthier environment in Delhi and its adjoining areas.
Sources By Agencies
