Delhi-NCR Pollution: SC Asks States To Decide On Suspending Physical Classes For Students Till Class 12 Amid Crisis

The Supreme Court asked states to decide on suspending physical classes up to 12th grade amid pollution crists. The top court also stated that GRAP IV will remain in force in Delhi regardless of AQI improvements.

The Supreme Court on Monday instructed all states in the Delhi-NCR region to immediately form teams for the strict enforcement of anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) stage 4, as air quality in the capital reached alarming levels. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 484 at 8 am, marking the worst AQI of the season, with some areas exceeding 500.

The court directed Delhi-NCR states to take immediate decisions on suspending physical classes for students up to Class 12, given the severity of the pollution crisis. "We direct all governments of the NCR area to strictly implement stage 4 of GRAP. All states will immediately constitute teams for monitoring the implementation of actions which are required to be taken under stage 4," the top court ordered, as per news agency PTI.

It further directed the establishment of a mechanism for citizens to file complaints regarding violations of stage 4 restrictions. The bench also instructed the state governments to submit their decisions on actions under stage 4 and present them before the court at the next hearing.

Delhi Pollution Crisis: SC Directs GRAP IV To Remain In Force Even If AQI Improves

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih made it clear that the curbs would remain in effect until further orders, regardless of any improvement in the AQI. "It is the constitutional duty of all states to ensure that citizens live in a pollution-free environment," the court remarked, emphasising that the measures under stage 4 of GRAP would continue until further notice. The court sought compliance reports from the Delhi-NCR states and the Centre by Thursday.

The court also criticised the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its delayed implementation of GRAP measures, saying the Commission had followed a flawed approach. "Instead of implementing measures immediately as the AQI crossed critical levels, the Commission waited for improvement in the weather conditions," the bench observed, as per PTI.

The court's stern remarks came after it reviewed the delayed actions taken by the CAQM. While the AQI crossed the 401 mark on November 13, triggering stage 3 of GRAP, the commission only decided to implement it a day later. Similarly, despite the AQI crossing 450 on November 17, the CAQM delayed the enforcement of stage 4 until November 18. "This approach is completely wrong. The Commission should have acted immediately even in anticipation of the AQI crossing the threshold limit," the bench stated.

The bench also raised concerns over the varying views on which agency’s data should be considered the official AQI measurement. It urged the CAQM to address complaints promptly and take necessary action.

Implemented in 2017, the GRAP categorises air quality in Delhi-NCR into four stages: Stage 1 (poor, AQI 201-300), Stage 2 (very poor, AQI 301-400), Stage 3 (severe, AQI 401-450), and Stage 4 (severe plus, AQI above 450). As part of stage 4 measures, which took effect on Monday, heavy trucks were banned from entering Delhi, and construction activities at public projects were temporarily halted.

The court is currently hearing a petition seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and surrounding areas.