- By Aditya Jha
- Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:50 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Supreme Court on Thursday has allowed relaxation of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 4 measures in Delhi, implemented to tackle the severe air quality in the national capital. The court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to reduce the restrictions to GRAP-Stage 2. The remarks from the apex court came after the city witnessed improved air quality for the past few days. However, the court further directed CAQM to ensure that Stage 3 or Stage 4 is enforced if the AQI crosses 350 or 400.
The bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that air quality in Delhi and nearby areas has improved, but GRAP 2 restrictions were necessary and also stated that CAQM should consider imposing certain additional measures that are part of Stage 3. The bench took note of the submission of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati that the average AQI levels have been below the 300 mark since November 30.
"Up to November 30, the AQI levels were consistently above 300, and it is only during the last four days that the levels have come down below 300. It is true that at some stage the Court will have to leave it to the Commission to decide the applicability of stages under GRAP. Considering the data before us, we do not think it will be appropriate at this stage to allow the Commission to go below Stage 2," Live Law reported, citing the observations from the bench.
"As a precautionary measure, Stage 3 measures will have to be immediately implemented. If AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage IV measures will have to be reintroduced," the bench added. The Supreme Court on Monday stated that it will consider relaxing the GRAP-4 restrictions if there is a consistent improvement in the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi.