Delhi air pollution: Supreme Court says GRAP-IV measures to continue till December 2 except for schools and colleges 

Supreme Court extends GRAP-IV in Delhi, considers easing norms, demands action on truck traffic, stubble burning, and welfare compliance.

The Supreme Court on Thursday (November 28, 2024) said that the graded response action plan, GRAP-IV, measures in Delhi will continue till Monday (December 2, 2024) except for schools and colleges.

The top court also said that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will meet and suggest easing the easing of GRAP IV norms to GRAP III or II on December 2. The court also asked the CAQM to consider implementing a “combination” of GRAP IV and III measures New Delhi and the measures have to be put on record for discussion on the next date of hearing on Monday (December 2, 2024).

The Supreme Court noted that the Court Commissioners’ report showed an “abject failure” on the part of authorities to control trucks and other inter-state vehicles’ traffic into Delhi during the GRAP IV restrictions.

The CAQM’s submission that show cause notice has been issued to authorities, including the Delhi Police Commissioner, under Section 14 of the CAQM Act, 2021 was also taken into record. The court said it expects replies to the notice by Monday (December 2, 2024).

The Supreme Court noted that its November 25 order to provide building workers, during construction ban necessitated by GRAP IV, weekly subsistence allowance from the labour cess funds collected for their welfare was not implemented by the States. The Bench reiterated that the welfare measures should be implemented and compliance reported on Monday (December 2, 2024).

The court also mooted the 24-hour data collection and reportage on stubble burning. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati assured the Bench that the ISRO is working on a new protocol.

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