All GRAP IV curbs to stay till Monday: SC

Closer Look >> 'CAQM to hold a meeting and come out with the suggestion about moving from GRAP IV to GRAP III or GRAP II' >> Delhi's air quality 'very poor' for 5th day, city records coldest night of season See P2

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to relax emergency measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to deal with air pollution in the national Capital, ordering it to continue till December 2 even as the Centre said the AQI was in "manageable limits".

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said the report submitted by the court commissioners showed an "abject failure" of authorities in implementing the GRAP IV curbs in letter and spirit.

"We make it clear that all GRAP IV measures except the measures which are modified in respect of the schools will continue to operate till Monday. In the meantime, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) will hold a meeting and come out with the suggestion about moving from GRAP IV to GRAP III or GRAP II. We also make it clear that it is not necessary that all measures which are provided in GRAP IV should be dispensed with," the bench said.

The top court further clarified that the entry of all trucks - except those carrying essential goods or providing essential services and LNG/CNG/electric/BS-VI-fitted trucks - were banned in national Capital as per GRAP-IV measures.