New Delhi, Nov 18: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over the delay in implementing stricter anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) and issued a stern warning to the Delhi government, stating that it will not allow any relaxation of pollution control measures without the Court’s prior approval.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih questioned the Delhi government’s decision to delay the enforcement of GRAP-4, even as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital soared to hazardous levels. The Court pointed out that GRAP-4 measures, which are designed to tackle severe air pollution, should have been triggered as soon as the AQI crossed the critical threshold, yet the necessary steps were delayed.
At the beginning of the hearing, the Delhi government’s counsel informed the bench that the state had finally implemented the GRAP-4 measures starting from Monday. This included a ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi, aimed at curbing the worsening pollution levels. However, the bench was not satisfied with the delay. “The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, stage 4 should have been invoked. How can you take such a risk by delaying its applicability?” the bench remarked, urging the government to take immediate and effective action.
The Supreme Court bench made it clear that it would not allow any scaling back of the preventive measures under GRAP-4, even if the AQI were to drop below 450. “Stage 4 will continue until the Court permits otherwise,” the bench stated, emphasizing that it would closely monitor the situation and discuss the matter in detail later in the day.
This came as the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had, on Sunday, announced the enforcement of stricter pollution control measures in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) under GRAP-4, effective from 8 am on Monday. The measures include a blanket ban on non-essential trucks entering the capital, as well as a temporary halt to construction activities at public projects.
The CAQM issued the directive after the AQI in Delhi reached dangerously high levels—recording 441 at 4 pm and spiking to 457 by 7 pm, largely due to unfavorable weather conditions that worsened the city’s already severe air pollution.
According to the CAQM’s guidelines, trucks carrying non-essential goods were banned from entering Delhi, with exemptions only for those transporting essential items or vehicles running on clean fuel (such as LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric trucks). Additionally, non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi were also prohibited, with exceptions for electric vehicles (EVs) and those using CNG or BS-VI diesel.
The Court’s intervention follows concerns raised earlier about Delhi’s deteriorating air quality. On November 14, the Supreme Court had agreed to urgently hear the case, noting that Delhi was on the verge of becoming the most polluted city in the world due to the increasing levels of air pollution. The Court had emphasized that the right to live in a pollution-free environment is a fundamental right of every citizen under Article 21 of the Constitution.
This ruling comes as part of an ongoing hearing in the Supreme Court, where a petition has been filed seeking directions to tackle the alarming air pollution levels in Delhi and its neighboring areas. The petition urges the Court to take immediate action to ensure that residents of the capital are not exposed to hazardous pollution levels, which can have serious health consequences, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
As the situation remains critical, the Supreme Court’s firm stance on ensuring the implementation of GRAP-4 measures underscores its commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of Delhi’s residents, while holding the government accountable for timely and effective action against the pollution crisis. The Court has made it clear that any relaxation of these measures will only be considered once it is satisfied that the air quality has improved significantly, and only with its explicit permission.