“Supreme Court Eases GRAP 4 Measures to GRAP Stage 2 in Delhi”

The Supreme Court on Thursday permitted the relaxation of the GRAP 4 (Graded Response Action Plan) measures to GRAP Stage 2 in Delhi. However, the court emphasized that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) must ensure that if the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeds 350 or 400, the more stringent Stage 3 or Stage 4 measures will be immediately enforced. The court will continue to monitor the implementation of these air quality measures.

In its order, the court suggested that the CAQM incorporate additional measures from GRAP Stage 3 while air quality in Delhi-NCR remains poor. It also instructed the air quality monitoring panel to not reduce the restrictions below Stage 2 until the situation improves.

On Thursday, Delhi’s air quality showed signs of improvement, with the AQI falling into the ‘moderate’ category at 161, according to PTI. Of the 38 monitoring stations, only six reported air quality in the ‘poor’ category, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The AQI scale ranges as follows: 0-50 (good), 51-100 (satisfactory), 101-200 (moderate), 201-300 (poor), 301-400 (very poor), and 401-500 (severe). Delhi’s minimum temperature for the day was recorded at 8.5°C, 1.0°C below normal, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting a clear sky and a maximum temperature of around 27°C.