The Supreme Court harshly chastised the central commission and the Delhi government on Monday for their tardiness in executing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in the nation’s capital, where the air quality is classified as “severe plus.” The highest court ruled that the GRAP Stage 4 restrictions will stay in effect until the court issues additional directives.
A case seeking orders to reduce air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding areas is being heard by a bench made up of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih.
The top court questioned the Delhi government about the steps taken to address the air pollution situation as the hearing got underway. The bench said, “We are making it clear. You will not go below Stage 4 (of GRAP) without the permission of this court”.
“Even if the AQI goes below 400, you will continue with Stage 4 measures. That’s the order we propose to pass,” the court said.
When the GRAP process was used in the city, the highest court requested that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) be consulted. It replied that Grade 3 measures were invoked when the pollution levels reached 400.
“It is invoked when the AQI level is between 300-400. We monitor for 2-3 days and then invoke,” the commission said.
To this, the Supreme Court said, “That’s a lapse on your part! How can you delay? If the AQI level reaches beyond 300, you invoke Grade 3 measures! Why delay 3 days?”
“The moment it reaches 300 to 400 GRAP has to be invoked. How can you take risk in such matters of delaying the applicability of GRAP?,” justice Okha asked.
When the counsel representing the CAQM, under the Union Ministry of Environment, informed the court that they expected air pollution levels to decrease, Justice Oka responded, “Can you afford to take such chances?”
“In a lighter vein, can anybody rely on the IMD (India Matheological Department)?,” the judge asked.
The top court will continue hearing the matter later on Monday. On Monday, the Air Quality Index in Delhi surged to 486, marking the worst level of the season and remaining in the severe plus category for the second consecutive day.
The Supreme Court has been considering concerns regarding Delhi’s deteriorating air pollution, which has been ascribed to a number of causes, including industrial pollutants, firecrackers, automobile emissions, waste burning, and stubble burning.
The Delhi Police and the government were heavily chastised by the court in November for their inability to properly implement the city’s firework prohibition. The court emphasised that every citizen has a fundamental right to a pollution-free environment under Article 21 of the Constitution, and that no religion supports actions that contribute to pollution.
The Punjab and Haryana governments were also chastised by the court for failing to abide with the central commission’s directives against stubble burning. It pointed out that these governments had only sent out show-cause notes rather than taking any action against officials who ignored the orders.
