New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday made it clear that all measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV will continue, except those related to schools, until the next hearing on December 2. The court urged that there is a need to take action against officials who failed to implement GRAP-IV restrictions. The apex court further stated that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) needs to assess the situation and provide recommendations on transitioning to GRAP-III or GRAP-II. It is not necessary to remove all GRAP-IV measures.
The CAQM informed the court that it has issued notices to the Delhi Police Commissioner, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), and the Delhi Transport Department for failing to enforce GRAP-IV measures effectively. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed concerns about the “abject failure” of authorities to implement the measures in full.
The court also addressed a media report alleging that some Punjab officials advised farmers to burn stubble after 4 PM to avoid satellite detection. The bench directed the Punjab government to ensure no such practices are encouraged and to issue strict instructions against stubble burning.
GRAP-IV, introduced with an aim to curb severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR. It includes actions such as restricting non-essential goods vehicles from entering the capital. Earlier this week, the court allowed schools in the region to resume physical classes, citing concerns about students missing mid-day meals and online education facilities.
The court, however, cleared the air that no big relaxation will be considered unless there is a vast improvement in air quality. It has instructed the state governments to provide money to labourers to support them amid an ongoing construction ban due to surging pollution levels.
