NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to continue the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-2 restrictions in Delhi along with certain measures from GRAP 3, such as restricting entry of interstate buses and other actions.
A two-judge bench of the apex court, led by Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, allowed the CAQM’s proposal to implement Stage-III measures within Stage-II to tackle air pollution. The top court stated that the directions in its previous order dated December 5 would remain in effect until further orders.
It is pertinent to note that GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the national capital and NCR region as per the severity of the situation. Restrictions under GRAP III and IV are implemented when the air quality becomes severe.
It also directed that the Delhi government and other NCR states — Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan — to take a final call in ensuring and prohibiting the use of firecrackers throughout the year to control pollution along with noise pollution.
The top court noted that the issue of banning the use of firecrackers in NCR states is yet to be addressed, and therefore, it directed the state governments concerned to place their decisions on the issue of the complete ban on the use of firecrackers throughout the year.
The top court was hearing the petition filed by environmentalist M C Mehta, seeking directions and orders to curb air pollution in the national capital.
In order to curb air pollution, the Court also suggested that government departments should start using electric vehicles.
Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the “poor” category, with a 24-hour average AQI of 288. Out of 38 monitoring stations, 20 recorded AQI in the “very poor” category, while the remaining stations reported air quality in the “poor” category, according to data from the Sameer app.
Go electric, suggests apex court
In order to curb pollution, the SC also suggested that government departments should start using electric vehicles. The Court also said its earlier order on GRAP will continue until further orders.
‘Take call on firecracker ban’
The Court also noted that the matter regarding the ban on the use of firecrackers in NCR states is yet to be addressed. It directed the state govts concerned to place their decisions on this issue