How long will this formality last… again the same old rebuke to the government on Delhi’s pollution
#News November 18,2024
The Supreme Court on Monday expressed displeasure over the delay in implementing phase 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) despite the alarming rise in pollution levels in the national capital. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih raised questions over the delay in implementing phase 4 measures of GRAP despite the air quality index (AQI) reaching severe levels in the national capital.
The Delhi government counsel informed the bench that phase 4 of GRAP has been implemented from Monday, which includes a ban on heavy vehicles entering the national capital.
The Supreme Court made it clear that it will not allow any reduction in the measures taken under Phase 4 of GRAP even if the AQI drops below 450. “The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, Phase 4 has to be implemented. How can you take the risk by delaying the applicability of Phase 4 of GRAP in these cases,” the bench told the Delhi government counsel.
The implementation of GRAP Stage 4, the strictest level of anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan, has become a hot topic in Delhi. The Delhi government introduced these measures at 8 am on Monday. Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated drastically and has reached the “severe plus” category.
The GRAP-4 action plan comprises eight measures, including a ban on the entry of diesel-powered medium and heavy vehicles of BS-IV and below into Delhi, except those carrying essential goods or offering emergency services. It also bans construction and demolition activities, except for critical infrastructure projects such as metro rail, hospitals, railways and defence.
Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Monday morning, with AQI readings exceeding 1,500 in several areas as the city engulfed in toxic smog. According to Swiss air technology company IQAir, the AQI at all monitoring stations was between 1300 and 1600 – the ‘hazardous’ category – at the time of the last update in this report.
