"How can you wait?": Supreme Court criticizes Delhi authorities on AQI delays

The Supreme Court criticized the Delhi authorities today over their delayed implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened to the ‘severe-plus’ category. The bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice AG Masih questioned why GRAP Stage 3 restrictions were implemented three days after AQI breached the 300 mark.

“Once it reaches, it has to be invoked. How can you wait for three days?” the court remarked sharply. It added that the authorities must strictly enforce GRAP Stage 4 restrictions, which are triggered when AQI surpasses 450, and warned that these should not be lifted without prior permission even if AQI falls below 300.

The bench criticized the authorities for relying on predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) rather than acting proactively. “Instead of anticipating that AQI will cross the mark, the approach is to wait and see,” the court said, asking for an affidavit detailing the implementation of emergency measures.

Under GRAP, four levels of restrictions are applied based on AQI severity. GRAP 1 involves actions such as water sprinkling and banning open waste burning when AQI is in the ‘poor’ category. GRAP 2, triggered at AQI above 300, includes daily water sprinkling, increased CNG buses, and restricted diesel generators.

GRAP 3, enforced when AQI exceeds 400, mandates banning polluting vehicles, stopping construction activities, and conducting online classes for primary students. The strictest level, GRAP 4, currently in force, involves banning most commercial vehicles from entering Delhi unless they conform to BS-VI norms or are EVs/CNG.

The Supreme Court emphasized that tackling Delhi’s air pollution crisis requires swift and strict actions rather than reactive measures. As the capital continues to choke under hazardous air, authorities have been ordered to take immediate steps and ensure compliance with GRAP without delays.