In the wake of Delhi grappling with severe pollution, the Supreme Court on Monday questioned the government over the delay in implementation of the GRAP-IV curbs.
The SC said that it will not allow scaling down of the preventive measures without its prior permission.
Also read | Welcome to bad air daze—air pollution affects more than just lungs
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih noted that there was a delay in the implementation of preventive measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)- IV even after the air quality deteriorated to alarming levels.
Also read | Delhi chokes under severe pollution; low visibility procedures imposed in airport
The bench criticised the government for the delay and asked, "How can you take risks" in these matters relating to the application of GRAP-IV?
GRAP-IV is required to be invoked when the air quality index reaches between 300 and 400.
#WATCH | Air pollution | Delhi CM Atishi says, "...Stubble burning is happening in Punjab, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Central Government is sitting idle. Today, entire north India has been pushed into a medical emergency. Be it Delhi, Chandigarh,… pic.twitter.com/GjayUtLkPf
— ANI (@ANI) November 18, 2024
Also read | GRAP-IV curbs to be imposed in Delhi from Monday as air quality turns ‘severe+’
The court asked the government to detail the steps it has taken to curb the alarming rise of pollution levels.
"We won't allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 even if AQI goes below 450. Stage 4 will continue till court permits," the bench said.
GRAP-IV curbs were imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), effective from 8 am on Monday, including a ban on truck entry and a temporary halt on construction.
As per the order, no trucks would be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel.
Amid the worsening air quality, nine flights were diverted and many flights were delayed at the Delhi airport on Monday.
Eight flights were diverted to Jaipur and one to Dehradun.
According to the officials, the pilots were not trained for CAT III operations due to which flights had to be diverted.
"Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are at present normal," Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said.
Delhi CM blames stubble burning
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday said North India is facing a medical emergency due to hazardous air quality caused by stubble burning.
While addressing a press conference, Atishi said the BJP-led government has been doing politics over the issue of pollution and has not taken any steps to check stubble burning in states like Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
