GRAP-IV to continue; Supreme Court refuses relaxations

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday made it clear it would not relax the restrictions under the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) Stage-IV imposed in Delhi until there is a "consistent downward trend" in Delhi-NCR air pollution.

A bench comprising justices Abhay Oka and Augustine George Masih said that it would take a call on the relaxations proposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management on Thursday after analysing the magnitude of downward trend of the Air Quality Index (AQI).

The bench said that it proposes to "go into all causes of pollution and try to find out permanent solutions with regard to stubble burning and various other causes of pollution". The bench urged the amicus curiae in the case to prepare a note on each issue so that the bench can assign dates for hearing each issue.


Justice Oka verbally observed that it is mindful of the fact that the court at some point will have to leave the issue to the executive for effective implementation. But it will do so after issuing orders ensuring a "permanent solution" is found to tackle the menace of rising pollution.

In a related development, the bench took a serious view of the failure of states in the National Capital Region to compensate construction workers whose livelihood has been affected by the halt of construction activities amid the air pollution crisis in the national capital. The bench directed the chief secretaries of the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan to remain present virtually (via videoconference) on Thursday.

"We want proof of payment. We find that none of the NCR states have complied with our direction to pay compensation to construction workers. Not even proof of a penny being paid has been shown... The ball starts rolling only when we summon (officials)," the bench said.