SC Refuses To Relax GRAP-4 Restrictions Unless AQI Shows ‘Downward Trend’

The Supreme Court of India on Monday has refused to ease the emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan in response to air pollution in Delhi.

The court stated that restrictions would not be relaxed until there was a clear downward trend in the Air Quality Index.

A bench consisting of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further directed the chief secretaries of the NCR states Delhi, Haryana, UP, and Rajasthan to appear through video conference on December 5 at 3:30 PM to provide updates on compensation for construction workers who have been without work due to the restrictions.

The bench emphasized that GRAP measures would not be relaxed unless a downward trend in the AQI is observed. It also questioned the Delhi government’s enforcement of Stage 4 restrictions, especially the ban on trucks entering the city, citing concerns over the implementation of these measures.

The Delhi government, represented by senior advocate Shadan Farasat, acknowledged the allegations of non-compliance but argued that isolated incidents should not lead to the conclusion that the entire city was not following the restrictions.

Farasat assured the court that the government would address these concerns and ensure better enforcement moving forward.

The hearing is ongoing, with the next update expected on December 5.

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