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'Invoke GRAP 4 the moment AQI reaches 300': Supreme Court on Delhi pollution
The top court also directed Delhi and NCR governments to set up a grievance redressal mechanism to report violations of the step
The Supreme Court on Monday directed Delhi-NCR states to immediately set up teams to enforce GRAP 4 restrictions given rising air pollution. The apex court further said the anti-pollution rules will remain in effect even if the air quality index is below 450.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said it is the constitutional duty of all states to ensure that citizens live in a pollution-free environment.
Delhi pollution live updates: SC asks NCR states to form teams to monitor GRAP-4 restrictions
"We direct restrictions under Stage 4 of GRAP to continue even if AQI level falls below 450," PTI quoted the bench as saying.
"GRAP stages should be implemented immediately the moment the AQI level touches alarming levels. Some sense of urgency needs to be there," the bench said.
The bench said the Stage 4 measures should be implemented earlier.
"The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, stage 4 has to be invoked. How can you take risk in these matters by delaying applicability of stage 4 of GRAP,” the bench told the counsel.
What are GRAP measures?
First implemented in 2017, GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.
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It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four different stages: Stage 1 - 'poor' (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 - 'very poor' (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 - 'severe' (AQI 401-450) and Stage 4 - 'severe plus' (AQI above 450).
SC asks NCR states to form teams for air pollution control
The apex court also asked all NCR states to constitute teams for monitoring actions which are required under GRAP Stage 4.
It asked the Delhi-NCR states to immediately set up teams to enforce GRAP 4 restrictions which, it said, will remain in effect even if the AQI is below 450.
The Supreme Court also asked Delhi-NCR states to formulate a plan on controlling measures to curb air pollution and present them to the court before the next date of hearing.
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It further directed Delhi and NCR governments to set up a grievance redressal mechanism to report violations of the step.
Asking the Delhi government and neighbouring NCR states to file their compliance affidavit by November 22 on the implementation of preventive measures to check pollution, the bench said steps may be taken besides those suggested under GRAP.
(With PTI inputs)
