Delhi Air Pollution Supreme Court Hearing Highights: SC orders GRAP 4 across all NCR states, says curbs to be in force even if AQI drops below 400

The Supreme Court on Monday directed all NCR states to implement Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Level 4 even if the AQI drops below 400, and ordered all state and central governments to file compliance affidavits. The apex court also ordered all states to immediately constitute teams to monitor the implementation of actions required under Stage 4.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, in its order, said, "We direct all governments of the NCR area to strictly implement Stage 4 of GRAP. All states will immediately constitute teams for monitoring the implementation of actions required under Stage 4."

"The NCR state governments and the central government will have to immediately take a call on actions provided in clauses 6, 7, and 8 of Stage 4 and place the decision taken on record before the next date," the top court added.

Delhi NCR on Monday continued to grapple with alarmingly high pollution levels, worsened by stubble burning in the neighbouring states. The AQI level in the city remained dangerously high. Notable readings included 919 in Mundka, 762 in ITI Jahangirpuri, and 624 in Anand Vihar, placing these areas in the 'severe-plus' category.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) imposed the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 in Delhi NCR from Monday after the city's daily average AQI rose sharply to 441 by 4 PM on Sunday, and further escalated to 457 by 7 PM, prompting an emergency meeting of the GRAP Sub-Committee.

The Stage-IV response encompasses an 8-point action plan designed to mitigate the pollution crisis. Key measures include banning the entry of trucks into Delhi, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services.

"We all know that stubble burning is a major factor in the rising levels of pollution today. Our govt in Punjab was formed in 2022. 47,000 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab were reported from between Oct 15 and 17 in 2022. We worked for two years and brought down the number from 47,000 to 7,500. On the other hand is the BJP govt in UP, where number of incidents of stubble burning increased from 1,500 to 2,500 in two years..."

Delhi minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai said "Today, the entire North India is badly affected by pollution, elderlies are facing breathing issues, authorities to forced to close the schools... The impact of pollution is increasing with change in weather across North India. It unfortunate that at such a time, the BJP-led central govt is sleeping and Union Environment Minister has taken a vow of silence on the issue. This is the time when the central govt should work in coordination with the state govts,"

On weather update in North India and Delhi-NCR, IMD scientist Naresh Kumar says, "Dense to very dense fog is prevailing in North and North-west India... In the coming days, dense to very dense fog will prevail in Haryana and Punjab for the next 5 days. Delhi-NCR will also be covered by moderate to dense fog for the next 3-4 days..

SC directed the Union government to make immediate arrangements for getting data from either Korean stationery satellites or any other stationery satellites so that data of stubble burning throughout the day can be made available to the states to enable them to take immediate actions. The apex court also said that commission and the central government will also involve ISRO in taking this step as the ultimate object should be to ensure that all instances of farm burning throughout the day can be reported to the concerned States so that prompt action can be taken by the states.

As the petitioner’s counsel mentions that students of classes 10th and 12th are still attending physical classes in schools unlike other students and urges to stop those physical classes as well, the Supreme Court says all NCR states should take an immediate call to stop physical classes of all standards upto class 12.

Supreme Court says it is the constitutional obligation of state and centre that citizens live in pollution free environment. Supreme Court says apart from all clauses of GRAP stage 3 and 4, let all steps be taken by the government to ensure that the situation normalises.

Supreme Court directs all the NCR governments to strictly implement GRAP stage 4. Supreme Court also directs all NCR states to constitute immediate teams for monitoring actions which are required under GRAP stage 4.

Supreme Court directs all the NCR state governments and Centre to immediately take a call on steps provided in GRAP stage 4 and place them before it before the next date of hearing. It further directs Delhi and NCR governments to set up a grievance redressal mechanism to report violations of the step.

SC also directs all NCR states to take a call to stop physical classes for all standards up to class 12 and start online classes.

SC directs that fourth stage of GRAP would continue to be in force till its further order even if AQI level drops below 400 and directs all NCR states to enforce fourth stage of GRAP.

The bench hearing the Delhi pollution crisis was told that the air quality index inside the court was 990.

The apex court summoned its Secretary General after it was informed about an ongoing construction project inside the Supreme Court's complex while GRAP 4 is in effect.

The air quality in Delhi-NCR has plunged to 'Severe Plus' category. But what’s fueling this toxic pollutants in the NCR? Here’s the major culprits behind this toxic smog:

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Delhi government's tardiness in executing enhanced pollution control measures under GRAP-4, declaring that any reduction in preventive actions would require its explicit approval. The judicial panel, comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, highlighted the concerning delay in activating stage 4 protocols of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), despite the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching critical levels in the national capital.

Delhi CM Atishi said in a press briefing, "Stubble burning is happening in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Central Government is sitting idle. Today, entire north India has been pushed into a medical emergency. Be it Delhi, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Bikaner, Bhopal, Patna, Lucknow - today, AQI across the country is Very Poor, Poor, Severe, Severe+."

Scaling down of preventive measures to tackle pollution in the national capital will require prior permission of court, said Supreme Court

SC seeks explanation from Delhi government on implementation of Graded Response Action Plan(GRAP) and says it is in favour of continuance of fourth stage of GRAP even in case of AQI level reduces below 400 level in Delhi

A bench of Justices AS Oka and AG Masih is hearing the matter.

As the national Capital chokes under ‘severe plus’ air quality amid dense fog, the Supreme Court began hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) relating to control of pollution.

Delhi and NCR residents endured hazardous air pollution levels on Monday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) exceeding 500 in numerous locations, placing it in the 'severe-plus' category.

At 7 AM, the national capital registered an AQI of 483, whilst specific areas showed alarming readings: Mundka at 919, ITI Jahangirpuri at 762, and Anand Vihar at 624.

The Supreme Court bench consented to schedule the case after senior advocate Aparajita Singh, serving as amicus curiae, sought an urgent hearing considering Delhi's current situation.

The amicus informed the bench about notifying the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM), requesting them to elaborate on their pollution control measures.

On November 11, the Supreme Court expressed grave concern over the violation of its fireworks prohibition during Diwali, stating that no religious practice endorses pollution-causing activities.

The Supreme Court will hear a petition on Monday regarding the implementation of measures to combat air pollution in Delhi.

The capital city experienced hazardous air quality on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching "severe plus" levels.

According to the cause list published on November 18 on the Supreme Court's website, the petition will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih.

The Supreme Court had agreed to an immediate hearing of the petition on November 14, following concerns raised about Delhi's deteriorating air quality, which threatened to make it the world's most polluted metropolis.