The Supreme Court of India on Thursday sharply criticized the implementation of the GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) measures in Delhi, calling it an “abject failure.” The court’s remarks come amid rising pollution levels in the national capital and neighboring areas. While it acknowledged the ongoing pollution crisis, the court decided to keep all anti-pollution measures in place until Monday, with the exception of school restrictions.
The court further instructed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to convene a meeting and explore the possibility of reducing the current GRAP-4 restrictions to GRAP-3 or GRAP-2 levels. It also suggested the implementation of a hybrid model, combining GRAP-4 and GRAP-3 measures, depending on the situation.
“We make it clear that all GRAP-IV measures except the modifications regarding schools will continue until Monday. In the meantime, the CAQM will assess whether a reduction to GRAP-III or GRAP-II measures is needed,” the bench stated, as reported by Hindustan Times.
The court also ordered CAQM to expedite action against top police, government, and civic officials in Delhi for their failure to implement the ban on the entry of heavy trucks into the capital, further intensifying the pollution crisis.
In addition to Delhi’s pollution concerns, the court took a serious view of reports from Punjab, where officials allegedly advised farmers to burn stubble after 4 pm to avoid satellite detection. The bench expressed doubt about the authenticity of this information but emphasized that if true, such advice was “very serious.” It directed the Punjab government to immediately instruct officers not to permit any such practices.
The case will be heard again on December 2, as the court continues to press for urgent and effective measures to tackle Delhi’s air pollution crisis.
 measures in Delhi, calling it an “abject failure.”){kind=link}