Delhi Breathes Easier as Pollution Restrictions Ease

The air quality panel in Delhi-NCR has relaxed restrictive pollution control measures from stages 3 and 4 to stage 2, due to improved air quality index levels. The Supreme Court approved this easing, thus allowing certain industries and activities to resume under specified conditions.

The Centre's air quality panel has downgraded pollution control measures for Delhi-NCR, following an official order issued on Thursday.

The decision scales back restrictions to Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), lifting certain curbs on industries and eateries along with a coal and firewood ban.

Improvement in air quality index (AQI) levels led the Supreme Court to approve a relaxation of stringent restrictions, with cleaner air recorded for a second consecutive day at an AQI of 165.

(With inputs from agencies.)