The Supreme Court of India ordered the suspension of physical classes for all school students up to Grade 12 in response to severe air pollution in Delhi. It criticized authorities for failing to implement necessary measures under the Graded Response Action Plan, emphasizing proactive steps and demanding compliance by November 21. The Court also urged stronger action against stubble burning.
New Delhi: In a significant move to protect students from the hazardous air pollution engulfing Delhi, the Supreme Court on Monday ordered the suspension of physical classes for all school students up to Grade 12. This order was issued following concerns raised by Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who highlighted that students were being forced to attend physical classes despite the worsening air quality.
“All States (in Delhi NCR) should take an immediate call to stop physical classes of all standards up to class 12,”
the Court directed, as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the “severe” category. The Court also expressed frustration over the delay in enforcing Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which should have been activated earlier, considering the ongoing air quality crisis.
The Court strongly criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for failing to implement preventive measures in line with its 2018 order. “The Commission cannot wait for the improvement of AQI,” the Bench noted, emphasizing the need for proactive measures rather than waiting for conditions to improve. The Court demanded that the authorities enforce Stage IV restrictions immediately and form monitoring teams to ensure compliance.
Stage IV of GRAP includes measures such as banning construction activities, closing schools, and limiting vehicle movements to reduce pollution. The Court clarified that Stage IV restrictions will continue even if AQI drops below 450, signaling its determination to take strong action.
The Supreme Court further directed all the governments of Delhi and surrounding regions to submit compliance affidavits by November 21 and scheduled a further hearing on November 22 to review the actions taken.
“It is the constitutional obligation of States and Centre that citizens live in a pollution-free environment,”
the Court emphasized, reinforcing the importance of strict action to combat the pollution crisis.
The Court also addressed the issue of stubble burning, a significant contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, urging authorities in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to take stronger action. Stubble burning, a common practice to clear fields after harvest, severely worsens air quality, and the Court has been pressing for more effective measures to reduce its impact.
With Delhi’s AQI recording some of the worst air quality levels globally, the Supreme Court has been continuously pressing for stricter measures to protect public health. Earlier hearings also included discussions on the failure to enforce the firecracker ban during Diwali, with the Court suggesting the possibility of a permanent firecracker ban to curb pollution in future.
As Delhi continues to grapple with toxic air, the Supreme Court’s intervention highlights the urgent need for all stakeholders to take action and ensure the protection of citizens from the devastating health impacts of severe air pollution.
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