SC relaxes anti-pollution restrictions from GRAP IV to GRAP II in national capital region-OxBig News Network

Rashtrapati Bhavan engulfed in a layer of smog, in New Delhi on Dec. 1, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Supreme Court on Thursday (December 5, 2024) relaxed the anti-pollution restrictions from GRAP IV to GRAP II in the national capital region.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), represented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, said the AQI levels had improved below the 300 mark since November 30 owing to meteorological conditions.

A Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and A.G. Masih said GRAP III must kick in if AQI deterioates to 350 and GRAP IV restored if AQI crosses 400

Easing the GRAP norms to stage two, the Bench however asked CAQM to consider incorporating GRAP III restrictions, if found appropriate.

“We must record however that if the Commission finds that the AQI goes above 350, as a precautionary measure, Stage III measures will have to be immediately implemented. If AQI crosses 400 on a given day, Stage IV measures will have to be re-introduced,” the court ordered.

The Court listed the case for hearing next week on Thursday (December 12, 2024).