The Supreme Court has directed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to ban firecrackers to combat air pollution in Delhi-NCR, emphasizing urgent action against deteriorating air quality. It reviewed measures under the Graded Response Action Plan, demanding swift relief for impacted workers and monitoring compliance at entry points. Delhi’s AQI level remains hazardous, necessitating stringent enforcement.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday, December 19, took a firm stance against air pollution in Delhi-NCR, directing Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to implement a complete ban on firecrackers, mirroring measures already in place in Delhi. The apex court emphasized the urgency of tackling deteriorating air quality in the region, while confirming that the ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi, as per its December 19, 2024, order, will continue, with a review scheduled for January 2025.
The Supreme Court reviewed several key measures to curb Delhi-NCR’s pollution, including the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and the enforcement of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016.
“The state governments should find out which workers are affected by GRAP 4. One should not depend only on registration on the portal to give allowance to the workers,”
directed the court, urging swift and comprehensive relief efforts. The court warned that failure to comply would result in contempt of court proceedings and demanded a reply from the states by January 5, 2025.
The apex court ordered states in the NCR to provide alimony to workers impacted by the stringent measures under GRAP 4, which includes a complete halt to construction activities. It emphasized the importance of identifying affected workers beyond portal registrations to ensure timely support.
The court instructed NCR states to create teams of police officers, revenue officials, and other department officers to monitor compliance at Delhi’s entry points. These teams are tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of GRAP IV measures, which target vehicular emissions, construction activities, and industrial pollution.
On Thursday, Delhi recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 451, placing it in the ‘severe plus’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Some areas reported AQI levels as high as 470, with PM2.5 concentrations posing severe health risks.
The PM2.5 particles, smaller than 2.5 micrometers, are particularly dangerous as they can deeply penetrate the lungs, exacerbating respiratory and cardiovascular health issues.
The national capital remains under Stage IV of GRAP, which imposes the strictest anti-pollution measures, including:
- A complete ban on construction activities.
- Restrictions on the entry of non-essential polluting trucks.
As Delhi-NCR grapples with hazardous air quality, the Supreme Court’s directives aim to mitigate pollution and protect public health, reinforcing the importance of strict enforcement and accountability in combating the crisis.
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