Supreme Court eases air quality restrictions in Delhi
In response to improving air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax restrictions from Stage IV to Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
This decision reflects the recent drop in the Air Quality Index (AQI), which has consistently stayed below 300 for the past four days.
The Bench observed the following:
The bench, led by Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice AG Masih, emphasized that easing restrictions beyond GRAP-II would not be advisable at this stage.
It suggested that the CAQM consider adding specific measures from Stage III to strengthen the impact of existing controls.
The court directed CAQM to reintroduce Stage-III restrictions if AQI exceeds 350 and reinstate Stage-IV measures if levels rise above 400. These thresholds aim to ensure preparedness in case air quality deteriorates.
Before November 30, AQI levels consistently remained above 300, prompting strict GRAP-IV restrictions.
However, a significant improvement was observed over the past week, with AQI dropping below 300.
Despite this positive trend, the court underscored the need for vigilance.
Highlighting coordination issues, the Supreme Court criticised the lack of synergy between various agencies. These include the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi government, the Delhi Police, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.
The court held CAQM accountable for ensuring smooth collaboration among all stakeholders and deploying adequate personnel at city entry points.
The court will review the situation again on December 12, following its earlier refusal on Monday to relax GRAP-IV restrictions prematurely.
At that time, it stressed the importance of monitoring AQI trends before considering any changes.
The Supreme Court’s measured approach balances improving air quality with the need for readiness. By retaining oversight and recommending targeted actions, the court aims to ensure sustained progress in combating air pollution.
Image Credit: Subhashish Panigrahi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Supreme_Court_of_India_02.jpg