The
Supreme Court on Friday directed the Centre and Delhi Police to ensure
checkpoints are established at all 113 entry points to the national capital.
This order came as the court questioned the Delhi government over the entry of
trucks into the city.
Earlier,
the top court had instructed Delhi and other National Capital Region (NCR)
governments to strictly enforce Grap Stage IV anti-pollution measures, as the
Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the ‘severe’ category. A bench comprising
Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih further directed NCR states to
immediately form teams to monitor and implement the required actions.
The
court clarified that Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan
(Grap) would remain in effect until further orders, even if AQI levels drop
below 450. All NCR districts and the central government have been asked to
submit compliance affidavits.
“We
make it clear that until further orders, the implementation of Stage IV
measures will continue, even if the AQI falls below 450,” the SC bench
stated.
The
court also instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to take
stringent action under Grap Stages III and IV, emphasising that no discretion
should be left to state authorities. Expressing dissatisfaction with the CAQM’s
delayed enforcement of Grap measures, the court underscored the need for
proactive action.
The apex court further ordered NCR states and the
Centre to immediately devise and present a plan for curbing air pollution
before the next hearing. Grap is a graded framework of anti-pollution measures
applied in the national capital and surrounding regions based on the severity
of air quality. Restrictions under Stages III and IV are triggered when air
pollution reaches critical levels.
Additionally,
the court directed Delhi and NCR states to file compliance affidavits by
November 22, detailing their efforts to implement pollution control measures.
It also urged them to consider measures beyond those prescribed by Grap.
Responding
to concerns raised by the petitioner’s counsel about Class 10 and 12 students
attending physical classes despite hazardous air quality, the court advised all
NCR states to immediately consider suspending in-person classes for all
students up to Class 12. The hearing focused on ongoing efforts to address the
alarming pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.