SC Raps Delhi Government as Nation Capital Chokes Under Toxic Smog

The Supreme Court on Monday rapped the Delhi government over delay in implementing stricter measures to combat rising pollution levels in the national capital, asking it not to scale down preventive measures without its prior permission.

The bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed concern over The delay in implementing stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which has been invoked in Delhi when air quality index (AQI) touches alarming levels, and pointed out that despite a warning from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), there was a delay in taking necessary measures.

The Counsel for the Delhi government informed the court that stage 4 of GRAP had been implemented from Monday and heavy vehicles have been banned from entering the national capital. The Bench told the counsel that it was not willing to take any risks on such matters, saying "The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, stage 4 has to be invoked. How can you take risk in these matters by delaying applicability of stage 4 of GRAP?"

The court also expressed concern over the government's inability to curb the alarming rise of pollution levels and said that it will not allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 even if AQI goes below 450. "Stage 4 will continue till court permits," the Bench added, promising to hear the matter in detail at the end of the day's work.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had announced stricter pollution control measures for Delhi-NCR under GRAP-4 on Sunday, effective from 8 am on Monday. These measures include a ban on truck entry and a temporary halt on construction at public projects.

According to the order issued by the CAQM, no trucks would be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric). Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.

The Supreme Court's strictures came amidst severe air pollution in New Delhi, with Air Quality Index reaching hazardous levels on Monday.