SC raps Delhi government as nation capital chokes under toxic smog

The Supreme Court on Monday issued a stern warning to the Delhi government over its delay in implementing stricter measures to tackle the rising pollution levels in the national capital. In a scathing rebuke, the Bench said it will not allow scaling down of the preventive measures without prior permission, and stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) would continue until the court permits.

As Delhi continued to choke due to toxic smog, the Supreme Court took strong exception to the delay in implementing stage 4 of GRAP, which is invoked when the Air Quality Index (AQI) touches alarming levels. The Bench pointed out that despite the AQI reaching critical levels, Stage 4 measures were only implemented from Monday.

"How can you take risk in these matters by delaying applicability of stage 4 of GRAP?" Justice Abhay S Oka asked the counsel for the Delhi government. "The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, stage 4 has to be invoked."

The High Court Bench told the counsel that it wants to know what steps the government had taken to curb the alarming rise in pollution levels. The court also directed that no trucks should be allowed into New Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel.

"This message is clear - we won't allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 even if AQI goes below 450," Justice Augustine George Masih said. "Stage 4 will continue till court permits."

Earlier on Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management issued a strict order under GRAP-4 to curb pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The order included a ban on truck entry and a temporary halt on construction projects.

However, the order was not implemented effectively, with pollution levels reaching 441 at 4 pm and 457 by 7 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions.