The Supreme Court has ordered the Commission for Air Quality Management to submit a report on pre-emptive actions against worsening air pollution in Delhi. The city's Air Quality Index stood at 309 on Monday, categorized as very poor, amid concerns over monitoring lapses and delayed GRAP implementation. This comes as haze persists for the third day since Diwali, exacerbated by low winds.
On Monday, a bench comprising Chief Justice Bhushan R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit detailing steps to prevent Delhi-NCR's air from turning severe. This order followed submissions by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting as amicus curiae, who highlighted CAQM's inertia despite the air quality index (AQI) hovering between 300 and 400 across most monitoring stations.
Singh noted reports of only nine out of 37 stations functioning during Diwali, questioning the reliability of AQI readings. 'CAQM must tell this court what pre-emptive steps they intend to take before the air turns severe,' she urged, adding, 'If the monitoring stations have not been functioning, how do we know when to implement GRAP?' Delhi's AQI was 309 at 4pm Monday, down from 366 the previous day due to winds, but Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in effect since October 19, when AQI exceeded 300.
CAQM's sub-committee skipped a meeting, citing AQI improvement of over 50 points, with an official stating, 'Stage 2 will continue.' Last year, the court mandated GRAP Stage 3 at AQI 350 and Stage 4 above 400, but CAQM has shown reluctance, per reports. Senior advocate Ruchi Kohli for CAQM informed the court of a prior report on steps taken, while Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati confirmed compliance.
GRAP stages include Stage 1 for poor (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 for very poor (301-400), Stage 3 for severe (401-450), and Stage 4 for severe plus (above 450). Weather forecasts predict worsening conditions with calming winds Tuesday and Wednesday, leading to stagnation. Stubble burning incidents totaled 2,202 from September 15 to November 1, delayed by monsoon flooding in Punjab, per IIT Delhi's Mukesh Khare. A persistent haze has kept pollution high since Diwali due to low wind speeds and cooler temperatures.