New Delhi: Delhi experienced its second-worst air quality day on record, with pollution levels reaching life-threatening “severe-plus” levels, as the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the continuation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi and surrounding states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab. The court’s directive mandates that the region enforce the stringent air quality measures, including the closure of schools, work-from-home policies for government and private employees, and shutting down non-essential industries, until further notice, even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) drops below 401.
The court’s decision followed a day of severe pollution in Delhi, where a thick blanket of toxic smoke enveloped the city. The day’s average AQI reached a hazardous 494, the highest in eight years and the second-worst on record. At 5 PM, the 24-hour average AQI peaked at 500 across 15 monitoring stations, leaving residents struggling with coughing and teary eyes even during brief outdoor exposure.
Supreme Court Criticizes Delay in Implementing Grap Measures
The bench, led by Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its “wait and watch” approach to implementing Grap measures. Despite the AQI crossing the 400 mark two days earlier, the CAQM delayed the enforcement of Stage III measures, waiting for air quality improvement forecasts from the meteorological department. The court instructed that immediate action should be taken when AQI exceeds critical thresholds, rather than relying on forecasts or hoping for improvement. Additionally, the Supreme Court issued a circular advising all individuals, including judges and lawyers, to wear masks in public spaces due to the toxic air.
Court Orders Immediate Closure of Physical Classes in Schools
In response to concerns raised by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, the court also intervened to shut down physical classes in schools, noting that Delhi government was still allowing in-person lessons for classes 10 and 12. Sankaranarayanan argued that this posed a serious risk as the same number of school buses were operating on the roads, adding to the pollution load. The court then ordered that all physical classes up to Class 12 be immediately suspended.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government informed the court that it had implemented Stage IV measures from 8 AM on Monday.
Strict Enforcement of Grap Stage IV Measures Across NCR
The Supreme Court’s ruling requires that all NCR governments enforce the most stringent actions outlined in Grap Stage IV, including restricting public and private offices to 50% capacity, working from home for central government employees, closing educational institutions, halting non-emergency commercial activities, and implementing an odd-even vehicle scheme. The court emphasized that these actions must be enforced without delay and ordered all NCR states to submit records of the decisions taken before the next hearing, scheduled for November 22.
CAQM Directed to Strengthen Grap Measures
The bench also directed the CAQM to enhance the existing measures under Stage III and IV, ensuring that they are not left to the discretion of local authorities. The court criticized the CAQM’s delayed response to deteriorating air quality, particularly highlighting the 48-hour gap between when the AQI first breached the 400 mark on November 12 and the implementation of Stage III measures.
Referring to a previous ruling from 2018, the court stated that the Commission should have acted preemptively instead of waiting for improvements in air quality. “The approach adopted by the CAQM is contrary to what was mandated by the court’s earlier order. They should not have waited for improvement, but acted immediately,” the court emphasized.
Grievance Mechanisms and Further Hearing
The court also ordered states to establish grievance redressal systems for citizens to report violations of the enforced measures. Additionally, it instructed the states to file affidavits detailing compliance with all directions by Thursday. The next hearing on the case is scheduled for November 22.
The ruling comes at a time when Delhi’s air pollution has reached alarming levels, causing widespread health concerns and exacerbating the city’s ongoing air quality crisis.
