Supreme Court Questions Delhi Government Over GRAP IV Implementation Delay
The Supreme Court on Monday scrutinized the Delhi government for delaying the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), designed to combat the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital. The court proposed an order to prevent the relaxation of Stage IV measures without its explicit permission, even if the AQI improves and drops below 300.
A bench comprising Justices A S Oka and A G Masih, briefly hearing a plea on enforcing measures to improve air quality, emphasized, “We are making it very clear that you will not go below Stage 4 without our permission now, even if AQI goes below 300. That is the order we are proposing,” Justice Oka stated verbally.
Delhi Government’s Response and Court’s Concerns
During the hearing, the Delhi government’s counsel informed the court that GRAP IV restrictions were implemented starting Monday. These measures include a ban on truck entry into the capital, except for those carrying essential goods or providing essential services.
However, the bench questioned why GRAP IV wasn’t enacted earlier when the AQI reached severe levels. The counsel explained that authorities had monitored the AQI for a few days and anticipated improvement. Justice Oka criticized this approach, stating that GRAP IV should have been enforced immediately when conditions became critical, adding, “The state cannot afford delays in such matters.”
The court also demanded a detailed account of actions taken by the Delhi government to address the crisis.
Stage IV GRAP Measures in Effect
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had earlier decided to enforce Stage IV restrictions due to the ‘severe’ air quality levels in Delhi-NCR. Key measures under Stage IV include:
- Suspension of construction and demolition activities that generate dust.
- A ban on private BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles.
- Prohibition of inter-state buses, except for electric, CNG, and BS-VI-compliant vehicles.
- Odd-Even restrictions may also be implemented.
Before this, Stage III restrictions, including shifting junior classes to online learning, had been imposed on November 14.
The Supreme Court will revisit the case later in the day to further examine the government’s actions and ensure strict compliance with anti-pollution measures.
