India
No relaxation of GRAP-4 without court’s nod: Supreme Court slams Delhi government for anti-pollution delay | India News – Times of India
“We will not allow the preventive measures under Phase 4 to be phased out even if the AQI falls below 450. Phase 4 will continue until the court allows it,” the court said.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said: “At the point when the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, Phase 4 should be invoked. How can you take a risk in these matters by delaying the application of phase 4 of GRAP?”
The CAQM had earlier announced stricter pollution control protocols for Delhi-NCR under GRAP Stage 4, which came into effect at 8 am on Monday. These include a ban on the entry of trucks and a halt to construction activities on public projects.
Delhi continues to suffer from alarmingly high pollution levels, exacerbated by stubble burning in neighboring states. The Supreme Court has earlier criticized the lack of coordination between the Centre, CAQM and state governments, including Punjab and Haryana, terming their responses inadequate and ineffective.
On Monday morning, AQI levels 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.
Despite measures such as the ban on fireworks till January 2025 by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, enforcement issues remain.
On November 11, the bench had criticized the lack of enforcement during Diwali, noting that no religion tolerates activities that are harmful to public health.
The court reprimanded the Delhi Police, saying their actions had been insufficient, with only raw materials seized. The court directed the Delhi Police Commissioner to set up a specialized cell to enforce the ban across the National Capital Region (NCR) and file a personal statement on the steps taken.
“The right to live in a pollution-free environment is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution,” the bench had said. It also directed the Delhi government to decide by November 25 on imposing a permanent ban on fireworks.
