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New Delhi: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) led Graded Response Action Plan recommended lifting the ban on coal industries operating in Delhi-NCR citing improved air quality in the area on Saturday.
“Industrial operations, such as coal-based industries in Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Sonepat and Bahadurgarh non-PNG industries in Delhi, which were earlier banned by Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), may now resume their activities subject to taking adequate control measures in compliance with the prescribed environmental norms,” the task force stated.
However, hot mix plants, ready mix plants and stone crushers continue to remain closed.
On November 4, the Supreme Court had banned all the construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR to contain pollution.
As a part of pre-emptive steps anticipating peak in pollution in the aftermath of Diwali and prior to onset of winter, SC-mandated EPCA, on the recommendations of the GRAP, had ordered ban on construction activities from 6 pm to 6 am from October 26-30. On October 31, the ban was extended to four more hours, from 6 pm to 10 am. On November 1, a complete ban was announced before the apex court blanket ban.
During a meeting on Saturday, officials observed marked improvement in the air quality which had reached to ‘very poor’ category from ‘severe’ and ‘severe plus’ categories
The state pollution control boards and other concerned agencies have been asked to remain alert, ensure regular surveillance and take all necessary steps to contain air pollution.
