The Supreme Court on Monday urged Delhi and surrounding states to decide immediately on suspending physical classes for students up to Class 12 due to the severe air pollution. The court asked the state governments to act swiftly in line with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV) to tackle the worsening air quality.
Supreme Court Calls for Immediate Action on Pollution
The bench, led by Justice Abhay S. Oka, directed state authorities to strictly implement GRAP-IV measures and form dedicated teams to monitor the situation. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached hazardous levels, with a reading of 481 at 7 a.m. on Monday, categorizing it as “severe-plus.” This has serious health implications, especially for children and the elderly.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an Orange Alert for dense fog, further reducing visibility and worsening the situation. The combination of toxic air and poor visibility has disrupted flights and left residents struggling to breathe in the polluted air.
GRAP-IV Guidelines Lead to School Closures
Following an order on Sunday, the Delhi government implemented GRAP-IV, which included suspending physical classes for students in Classes 6-9 and 11. This decision comes as Delhi remains shrouded in smog, with locals describing the city as a “gas chamber.” The arrival of a cold wave has further aggravated the health crisis.
The Supreme Court’s intervention follows its previous criticism of the Delhi government for not enforcing the firecracker ban and its calls for better pollution control measures. It had also asked Punjab and Haryana to submit reports on stubble burning, which contributes to the region’s pollution.
Court Pushes for Aggressive Measures to Tackle Pollution
Earlier, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked Stage-IV of the GRAP, triggering emergency pollution control actions in Delhi-NCR. This decision came after a Sub-Committee meeting, which assessed the worsening conditions due to unfavorable weather.
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for Friday, urging the authorities to take all possible actions to reduce pollution levels and protect public health.
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