Pollution: Measures implemented under 'severe' category may be lifted

Measures implemented under the 'severe' category of the graded response plan on January 20 to combat air pollution may soon be lifted as the city's air quality has improved over the last few weeks.
The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA), empowered by the Supreme Court to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan, will meet next week to take a call in this regard.
In a meeting here, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) informed the EPCA that the city's air quality was in the 'poor' category now.
The measures include intensified action against garbage burning, check on dust norms violations, ban on firecrackers. The more stringent measures like hike in parking fees and a blanket ban on DG sets were not enforced due to preparatory issues.

EPCA member Sunita Narain is also going to raise the issue of toxic fumes emanating from the Ghazipur landfill in a meeting with Lt Governor Anil Baijal tomorrow.
She said a recent field inspection has found that the situation was alarming there. She also stressed on the need to pave the Anand Vihar ISBT.
The next meeting of EPCA would also dwell on when to reopen to Badarpur thermal power plant, which the city's power department has held as essential to meet the demand during the summer months.
EPCA chairman Bhure Lal said there was no room for complacency as a spike in pollution levels was expected in May when agro-residue is burnt in the farms of Haryana and Punjab.