Supreme Court Continues GRAP-IV Restrictions in Delhi-NCR until December 2

• The Supreme Court has directed the continuation of heightened restrictions under stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region until December 2.

• The decision of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to ease curbs in Delhi-NCR schools will continue to be in effect.

• The CAQM has been asked to consider further easing of restrictions from GRAP-IV to GRAP-III or GRAP-II, and to report to the court in the next hearing on December 2.

• The air quality index has improved considerably for the CAQM.

• The court will hear submissions from the States concerned on the suggestion to impose a perennial ban on firecrackers in Delhi-NCR on December 2.

• The court noted an “abject failure” by authorities to control the flow of trucks and other inter-State vehicles into Delhi during the GRAP-IV period.

• The court also urged 24-hour data collection and reportage on stubble burning.

• The court also noted a media report that authorities in Punjab had advised farmers to burn crop residue after 4 p.m. to avoid satellite surveillance.