In a meeting held on Monday, the EPCA stated that the power station could resume operations till the onset of winter, as the air quality has improved over the last one month.

"When the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was rolled out, we had asked for the Badarpur plant to remain shut as the city's air quality was severe. But, since the air quality has now improved and is largely in the moderate to poor category, the power station can resume operations," said Sunita Narain, EPCA Member and Director-General, Centre for Science and Environment.

The GRAP mandated specific actions, based on the varying levels of air pollution, ranging from emergency, severe, very poor to moderate and poor. Shutting down the power plant was one of the specific actions mandated.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Air Lab, PM 2.5 (particulate matter below 2.5 micrometers in diameter) has largely been at moderate levels in the last one week. "Delhi's air quality depends on internal emissions, external pollution, and meteorological conditions. The meteorological conditions have been good and it has helped in dispersing the pollutants," said DipankarSaha, Scientist, CPCB Air Lab.

The EPCA has, however, directed the Badarpur plant authorities to remove all fly ash and has also sought a detailed closure plan for the plant after 2018. The EPCA members said they will be submitting a comprehensive action plan, as asked by the SC, based on the inputs of the Delhi government, Ministry of Urban Development and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. In addition, EPCA will also submit its recommendations on the proposed ban on the use of pet coke, furnace oil, and rubber oil in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Last week, the EPCA had held a meeting with natural gas suppliers to ascertain the availability of natural gas in order to replace severely polluting fuels, such as pet coke, furnace oil, and rubber oil.