Mon Nov 18 15:04:23 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court Slams Delhi’s Air Pollution Response, Orders Stricter Measures

**New Delhi:** The Supreme Court of India expressed its strong displeasure over the alarming air pollution levels in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), noting that the AQI within the courtroom itself exceeded 990. In a hearing on Wednesday, the court directed that even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) falls below 400, Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) will remain in effect until further notice. All NCR states have been ordered to immediately implement GRAP Stage 4.

The court emphasized the constitutional responsibility of the state and central governments to ensure citizens breathe clean air. In addition to all clauses of GRAP Stages 3 and 4, the government must take all necessary steps to rectify the situation, the judges ruled. All parties must submit affidavits on compliance by Thursday, with the next hearing scheduled for Friday.

The Supreme Court issued several directives:

* **Strict GRAP Stage 4 Implementation:** All NCR governments must strictly enforce GRAP Stage 4. Teams must be immediately formed to monitor its implementation. Reports on actions taken under GRAP Stage 4 are required before the next hearing. A complaint redressal mechanism must also be established to report violations.
* **School Closures:** All NCR states must close physical classes for all levels up to class 12 and switch to online learning.
* **Real-Time Particulate Matter Monitoring:** The central government must immediately arrange to obtain data from geostationary Korean satellites or other similar satellites to provide real-time stubble burning data to states for prompt action. ISRO’s collaboration is mandated to ensure this.
* **Delhi Government’s Inaction:** The court questioned the Delhi government’s delay in implementing pollution control measures under GRAP-4, stating that any deviation from preventive measures requires explicit approval. The bench expressed concern over the delayed activation of GRAP Stage 4 protocols despite the critically high AQI.

The Supreme Court’s strong stance underscores the severity of the situation and its determination to force stricter measures to combat Delhi’s persistent air pollution crisis.

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