Tue Nov 19 02:54:44 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Schools Shut Down Amidst Severe Air Pollution Crisis
**New Delhi, November 19, 2024** – The Supreme Court of India today ordered the immediate suspension of all physical classes for students up to grade 12 in Delhi due to the city’s severe air pollution. The court acted on a plea highlighting that schools were still holding in-person classes despite the hazardous air quality.
The order mandates that the Delhi and NCR state governments immediately halt in-person classes for all school levels, overriding clause 5 of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). The court criticized the delay in implementing GRAP stages III and IV, stating that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) waited for AQI improvements instead of taking preemptive action, contradicting a 2018 court order.
The court directed the strict implementation of GRAP Stage IV across the National Capital Region (NCR), ordering the formation of monitoring teams to ensure compliance. Importantly, Stage IV measures will remain in effect even if the AQI falls below 450, until further notice. The central and all state governments must submit compliance affidavits by November 21, with a further hearing scheduled for November 22 to assess compliance.
The court emphasized the constitutional obligation of the government to provide citizens with a pollution-free environment, urging additional measures beyond GRAP Stages III and IV to improve the AQI. The case also addressed stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, a significant contributor to Delhi’s air pollution.
The decision comes as Delhi’s AQI reached critically hazardous levels, prompting earlier concerns from the Supreme Court. Previous hearings addressed the failure to enforce a firecracker ban during Diwali and explored the possibility of a permanent ban. The court’s ongoing concern reflects the severity of the situation and the urgent need for comprehensive action to protect public health.
First Piper 