Mon Nov 18 08:54:50 UTC 2024: ## Delhi’s Air Quality Reaches ‘Severe Plus’ Level, Supreme Court Questions Government’s Response
**NEW DELHI** – The Supreme Court of India on [Date of article] sharply criticized the Delhi government for its inaction regarding the city’s rapidly deteriorating air quality, which has reached “severe plus” levels. A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George expressed concern over the alarmingly high Air Quality Index (AQI), exceeding 400 in many areas and reaching 499 in Dwarka.
The court questioned why the government waited until the AQI crossed 300 before implementing the GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) Stage 4, which includes stringent measures to curb pollution. The court directed the Delhi government to maintain the Stage 4 restrictions even if the AQI dips below 400.
The severe pollution, the first of its kind this season, forced the implementation of GRAP Stage 4. Reports indicate dangerously high levels of PM2.5 particulate matter, causing significant respiratory problems for Delhi’s residents. Thick smog enveloped the city on Monday morning, impacting visibility and causing widespread inconvenience.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal accused the central government of inaction, citing the burning of agricultural waste in neighboring states and the lack of preventative measures. He expressed concern over the deteriorating air quality in other cities in northern India and questioned the central government’s response to the regional crisis. The Supreme Court had already expressed its displeasure last week with the government’s response to the situation. The court’s intervention highlights the urgent need for effective measures to combat the escalating air pollution crisis in Delhi and surrounding areas.
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