SC lifts Grap 4 pollution curbs in Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court on Thursday ended restrictions under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), with the Capital's air quality index (AQI) "moderate" for the second straight day, even as the bench urged the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to lower the thresholds for the two most stringent sections of the anti-pollution plan by 50 AQI points.

- Abraham Thomas

The bench, headed by justice Abhay S Oka, also pulled up the Delhi government for not paying a subsistence allowance to workers who were unemployed during the construction ban under Grap Stage 4.

Thursday's order brought to an end restrictions on the use of older vehicles, construction, demolition, and entry of certain trucks - measures which have been in place under Grap Stages 3 and 4 since November 15, when Delhi was in the throes of a severe pollution crisis.

It, however, only allowed CAQM to drop anti-pollution measures to Grap Stage 2.

"Considering the data placed before us, we do not think it will be appropriate for CAQM to go below Grap Stage 2," said the bench, also comprising justice Augustine George Masih.

It also asked the central agency to consider "incorporating certain additional measures which are part of Grap 3".

However, even as CAQM notified the watering down of Grap measures to Stage 2 hours after the hearing, it did not add any curbs from Grap 3.

"The CAQM sub-committee...has decided to revoke Stage-3 and Stage-4 of Grap in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.

Grap Stages 2 and 1 to however remain in force," said the CAQM in a statement on Thursday.

The matter will now be heard on December 12.