The Supreme Court on Monday criticized the Delhi government for the delay in implementing Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), despite alarming pollution levels in the national capital. A bench led by Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed concern over the rising Air Quality Index (AQI), which had reached hazardous levels, prompting a need for immediate action under the plan.
While the counsel for the Delhi government confirmed that Stage 4 measures were activated starting Monday, including a ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into the city, the court emphasized that such measures should have been enforced earlier, given the AQI had already reached critical levels.
The court further directed that no reduction in the preventive actions under Stage 4 of GRAP should be allowed, even if the AQI drops below 450. “The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, Stage 4 must be invoked. Why risk delays when public health is at stake?” the bench remarked.
Stage 4, the most stringent level of the GRAP, was formally introduced by the Delhi government on Monday at 8 AM after the city’s air quality plunged into the “severe plus” category. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi announced on X (formerly Twitter) that all schools would switch to online classes, except for those in Classes 10 and 12, due to the severe pollution. She added that physical classes would remain suspended until further notice under GRAP-4 measures.
The GRAP-4 plan includes a ban on the entry of diesel-powered BS-IV and below heavy and medium vehicles into Delhi, with exceptions for those transporting essential goods or providing emergency services. Construction and demolition activities are also halted, except for critical infrastructure projects such as metro rail construction, hospitals, and defense-related works.
The AQI is categorized as follows: 0-50 (Good), 51-100 (Satisfactory), 101-200 (Moderate), 201-300 (Poor), 301-400 (Very Poor), 401-450 (Severe), and above 450 (Severe Plus). On Monday morning, Delhi’s AQI exceeded 1,500 in several locations, indicating a “hazardous” level of pollution, with readings at multiple monitoring stations ranging from 1300 to 1600.
The worst-hit areas included Mundka (AQI 1591), Dwarka-Sector 8 (AQI 1497), and Rohini (AQI 1427), according to data from IQAir, a global air quality monitoring network.
As the capital continues to battle toxic smog, the Delhi government faces increasing pressure to ensure that the full set of GRAP measures is rigorously implemented to safeguard public health.
