DELHI GOVERNMENT SLAMMED BY SUPREME COURT OVER DELAY IN CURTAINING TOXIC SMOG IN NATIONAL CAPITAL

The Supreme Court of India rapped the Delhi government on Monday for its delay in implementing stricter measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-4 amid rising air pollution levels in the national capital, warning that it will not allow scaling down of preventive measures without its prior permission.

A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih pointed out that there was a delay in implementing stage 4 of GRAP despite the Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting alarming levels in New Delhi. The court emphasized that delays in such matters pose risks to public health, particularly when the AQI is already at a critical level.

The counsel for the Delhi government informed the Bench that stage 4 of GRAP has now been implemented and heavy vehicles are banned from entering the capital city. However, the Judges expressed their disappointment with the delay and directed the government to curtail pollution levels effectively.

"We won't allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 even if the AQI goes below 450," said the Bench. "Stage 4 will continue till court permits."

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had issued stricter pollution control measures for Delhi-NCR under GRAP-4, including a ban on truck entry and a temporary halt on construction at public projects, last night.

As of Monday, Delhi's AQI reached 441 at 4 pm and rose to 457 by 7 pm due to unfavorable weather conditions. The measures announced by the CAQM will remain in place until further notice.

The Supreme Court's warning comes as the national capital continues to struggle with toxic smog that poses serious health risks to residents. The court's strict directives aim to ensure effective implementation of GRAP-4 and minimize pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.