GRAP-4 lifted but stay vigilant: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai
Delhi air pollution: A day after restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) - 4 were lifted in Delhi due to improved air quality, Environment Minister Gopal Rai urged people to be cautious and continue to follow the rules as stages 1, 2, and 3 of the GRAP put in place to combat air pollution in the national capital.
"Though there has been a constant improvement in air quality, people still need to be aware in order to maintain this improvement," Gopal Rai said.
"There has been constant improvement in pollution levels over the last two days. The AQI as of today has reached 290. I want to request the people of Delhi and North India to remain vigilant. Although there has been improvement in pollution, we still need to be cautious. Before Diwali, the AQI had reached 215, but the carelessness that followed led to an increase in the AQI after Diwali."
The CAQM (Commission for Air Quality Management) lifted the restrictions imposed under GRAP 4 on Saturday, allowing trucks and buses to enter the city except for BS-3 and BS-4 petrol and diesel vehicles, and lifting the ban on ongoing construction activities.
During the press conference, Gopal Rai stressed that all three phases of GRAP 1, GRAP 2, and GRAP 3 are still being implemented in Delhi. He added that once pollution levels have improved further, the removal of these restrictions will be considered.
In terms of vehicle restrictions, Gopal Rai stated, "The ban on the entry of trucks has been lifted, but the ban on BS3 petrol vehicles and BS4 diesel vehicles remains. So, the ban has been lifted only for trucks or vehicles that exceed BS 4."
- ANI
