Supreme Court: Keep GRAP IV in place despite AQI improvement
The Supreme Court criticized the Delhi government and CAQM on Monday for delaying the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court ordered that Stage IV measures remain in force, regardless of any improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI).
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih reviewed a petition on Delhi’s worsening air pollution. Delhi’s AQI hit 481, entering the “severe plus” category for the second day. The court emphasized that no measures below Stage IV should be implemented without its approval.
The CAQM admitted it only activated Stage III measures after monitoring AQI levels between 300-400 for 2-3 days. Justice Oka criticized this delay, stating, “How can you take risks in matters like this?” The CAQM explained they expected pollution to decrease, but the court deemed this approach risky and unacceptable.
Delhi’s severe air pollution is driven by stubble burning, firecrackers, vehicular emissions, garbage burning, and industrial pollution. Earlier, the Supreme Court criticized the Delhi government for failing to enforce a firecracker ban, stressing citizens’ constitutional right to a clean environment under Article 21.
The court also reprimanded Punjab and Haryana for not enforcing stubble-burning bans, noting inaction against officials ignoring orders. The hearing will resume later today