SC Allows GRAP-IV Restrictions To Be Relaxed In Delhi As City's AQI Improves

A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih allowed the authorities in the national capital to ease restrictions from Stage IV of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to Stage II.

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed restrictions in GRAP-IV measures in Delhi.

Source : PTI

Supreme Court on Thursday allowed relaxation in GRAP-IV restrictions in New Delhi amid a fall in the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels. 

 

A Bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih allowed the authorities in the national capital to ease restrictions from Stage IV of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to Stage II. However, the apex court also asked the CAQM to put in place additional measures from Stage III.

 

Shortly after the SC directive, the centre's air quality panel Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked restrictive pollution control measures under stages 3 and 4 of the anti-pollution control plan for winters.

 

 

The restrictions have been reduced to Stage 2 of the GRAP which involves less stringent curbs such as a ban on the use of coal and firewood in industries and commercial establishments, including eateries.

 

The move comes after the air quality in the national capital improved in the past couple of days with the AQI on Thursday being recorded in the moderate category with a reading of 165.

 

The Supreme Court noted that the AQI level in the National Capital Region did not cross 300 in the last four days and directed the CAQM that stage-3 curbs would be introduced if AQI crossed the 350 mark and stage-4 curbs if AQI crossed 400.

 

Stages 3 and 4 of GRAP entail a ban on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential goods unless they run on CNG, LNG, or BS-VI diesel. Diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV or lower) are prohibited, except for essential services while non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are also restricted under GRAP stages 3 and 4.

 

All construction and demolition activities, including public infrastructure projects like highways, flyovers, and pipelines, are also banned.