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India's north reduces restrictions as air quality enhances

India eased some restrictions enforced to combat pollution in its north on Thursday as air quality there improved, with smog paving the way to blue skies and Delhi taping a moderate air quality index reading of 165.

As AQI levels soared last month, schools in the capital and adjoining areas were closed, some building and construction was prohibited and offices were asked to consider allowing 50% of employees to work from home.

India's Central Pollution Control panel considers an AQI of 0-50 great and above 400 severe, which poses a risk to healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing illness.

Constraints were eased because of their disruptive nature, dominating pattern of air quality and forecasts for meteorological conditions, stated the Commission for Air Quality Management, a. government body responsible for air quality in the nationwide. capital area.

Some steps to suppress contamination, consisting of mechanical sweeping,. synchronised traffic motions and enhanced vehicle parking costs. will continue to be implemented, monitored and reviewed, it. said.

It issued the order hours after India's leading court, which has. been keeping an eye on contamination control measures and their. implementation, allowed the Commission for Air Quality. Management to ease constraints, however directed that a few of them. be executed once again if the AQI crosses 350.

Air quality in the city is expected to intensify on Friday and. stay poor through the rest of the week, showing an AQI. between 201 and 300, according to the Ministry of Earth. Sciences.

Delhi fights intense pollution each winter season as cold air. traps emissions, dust and smoke from farm fires in the. breadbasket states of Punjab and Haryana, leaving many of its 20. million citizens dealing with breathing illnesses.

Swiss group IQAir has actually ranked it the world's most contaminated. capital city for 4 succeeding years in a row.

(source: Reuters)