The Government of Delhi has lifted the ban on the construction and demolition activities in the city. The decision was taken in view of the improved air quality in the national capital.

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“In view of improvement in air quality, Delhi lifts ban on construction and demolition activities,” said news agency PTI on Monday quoting the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai.

Rai also said the government will take a call on the reopening of schools, work from home for government staff on November 24.

We will also discuss if CNG-operated trucks carrying non-essential items can be allowed to enter Delhi, he said.

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The Delhi government on Sunday night extended the ban on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential items and work-from-home for its employees till November 26 to combat air pollution and minimise its health effects.

"Keeping in view the very poor air quality forecast and that vehicular pollution would cause extensive air pollution and release harmful air pollutants, particularly when the air quality is very poor, it is felt that there is a need for further extension of the curbs on vehicular movement in Delhi," the order issued by the environment department said. 

Stop entry of trucks in Delhi except the trucks carrying essential commodities till November 26, subject to further review for an extension of this date, the order further said. 

According to a senior central government official, the CAQM will hold a review meeting on Tuesday to assess the situation. 

In its report, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said that the air quality is likely to remain in the "poor to moderate" category on Monday and Tuesday. 

The air quality for the subsequent five days is also likely to remain in the "poor to the lower end of the very poor category", it said. 

On Sunday, winds gusting up to 20 kilometre per hour barrelled through the city, dispersing pollutants partially and improving visibility. 

The city recorded its 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 349, down from 374 on Saturday. Neighbouring Faridabad (377), Ghaziabad (319), Gurugram (364) and Noida (322) also recorded the air quality in the "very poor" category. 

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". 

R K Jenamani, a senior scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), said the wind speed reached up to 20 kmph during the day, improving visibility from 800 metre in the morning to the range of 2,200 to 3,000 metre at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport. 

Winds gusting up to 30 kilometre per hour are likely on Monday, the IMD said. 

(With PTI Inputs)