New Delhi: The Supreme Court has announced that the fourth stage of Delhi anti-pollution measures. the National Capital Region (GRAP-IV) will remain in effect for at least the next 72 hours. On Friday, the court noted that the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi and surrounding areas stood at 371, continuing to fall in the “very poor” category.
Court’s Oversight of GRAP Measures
During the hearing, the court reiterated its intention to oversee any possible reduction in the level of GRAP. Justice Abhay S. Oka stated, “We plan to review compliance on Monday and decide whether to scale back measures from GRAP-IV to GRAP-II.”
Police Deployment at Checkpoints
The court suggested that the government deploy police officers at 113 checkpoints along the city’s borders to control the entry of trucks into the National Capital Region (NCR). This Delhi anti-pollution measure is in line with GRAP-IV, which bans trucks and commercial vehicles carrying non-essential goods from entering the city.
concerns over the enforcement of this ban have been raised. The court asked the Delhi government how it is monitoring truck entries, emphasizing the need for expert monitoring. The government’s claims were dismissed as “arbitrary,” especially as they failed to provide a list of monitored entry points.
Additional Measures Under GRAP-IV
Other restrictions under GRAP-IV include:
- A ban on BS-IV and older diesel-powered medium goods vehicles (MGVs) in Delhi
- A shift to online schooling
- Staggered working hours for government employees
- Encouragement for private firms to implement work-from-home policies
Authorities have advised residents to wear anti-pollution masks when going outside.
GRAP-IV Will Remain Even if AQI Drops
The court clarified that GRAP-IV measures will continue, even if the AQI drops below 450. It criticized the Delhi government for its delayed response, questioning why the AQI exceeded 300 before action was taken.
Firecracker Ban Criticism
The Supreme Court has been particularly critical of the Delhi government’s handling of pollution following Diwali, when the city’s air quality significantly worsens due to firecracker use. In previous hearings, the court condemned the bursting of firecrackers, stating, “No religion promotes any activity that causes pollution.” The court also held the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government and the police responsible for the failure to enforce the firecracker ban, labeling their explanations as “eyewash.”
Political Backlash
Delhi’s ongoing struggle with air pollution has become a political issue. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has accused the Delhi government of failing to control pollution levels. Virendra Sachdeva, head of the BJP’s Delhi unit, said, “The situation is worsening. People are suffering due to the poor governance of the Delhi government. Dust control is necessary, and stubble burning in Punjab must stop.”
In response, AAP Chief Minister Atishi blamed the central government, led by the BJP, for not acting effectively. She pointed to farm fires in neighboring states (except Punjab, where AAP governs) as a significant factor contributing to the city’s pollution, stating, “The lack of action by the BJP-led central government leaves Delhi residents struggling to breathe.