New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed all states to suspend physical classes for students up to class 12 in view of the severe pollution in Delhi-NCR. The Court made it clear that all classes up to 12th will be taught only in online mode. The Supreme Court Justice Sr Adv Gopal S said, “The lungs of 10th and 12th students cannot be different than the other students. If a direction can be given to stop those physical classes as well.”

The Supreme Court further added that all states should take an immediate call to stop physical classes of all standards up to class 12.

The Court urged states to take immediate action to halt in-person learning for all standards, reiterating that online classes should be the norm until the pollution levels improve.

The Court also criticised the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for waiting on weather conditions instead of implementing the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) measures promptly. It directed that restrictions under stage 4 of GRAP should remain in effect even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) dips below 450.

Additionally, the Supreme Court instructed all NCR states to form teams to strictly enforce GRAP stage 4 restrictions and create a mechanism to handle complaints about violations.

Supreme Court Questions Delhi Government on Delayed GRAP-4 Implementation

The Supreme Court on Monday also questioned the Delhi government over delay in implementation of stricter anti-pollution measures under GRAP-4, and said it will not allow scaling down of the preventive measures without its prior permission.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih pointed out that there was a delay in implementation of preventive measures under stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) even after the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched alarming levels in the national capital.

At the outset, the counsel for the Delhi government informed the bench that stage 4 of GRAP has been implemented from Monday and heavy vehicles have been banned from entering the national capital.

Court Stresses Immediate Action to Prevent Risk

“The moment the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, stage 4 has to be invoked. How can you take risk in these matters by delaying applicability of stage 4 of GRAP,” the bench told the counsel.

It told the state government that the court wants to know what steps it has taken to curb the alarming rise of pollution level.”We won’t allow scaling down of preventive measures under stage 4 even if AQI goes below 450. Stage 4 will continue till court permits,” the bench said, adding it will hear the matter in detail at the end of the day’s work.

CAQM Imposes Stricter Pollution Measures Effective Monday

On Sunday, the CAQM announced stricter pollution control measures for the Delhi-NCR under GRAP-4, effective from 8 am on Monday, including a ban on truck entry and a temporary halt on construction at public projects.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued the order as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened, reaching 441 at 4 pm and rising to 457 by 7 pm due to unfavourable weather conditions.

What’s Allowed, What’s Not

According to the order, no trucks would be allowed into Delhi except for those carrying essential items or using clean fuel (LNG/CNG/BS-VI diesel/electric).

Non-essential light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will also be prohibited, except for EVs and CNG and BS-VI diesel ones.

Right to Clean Air is a Fundamental Right, Says SC

On November 14, the top court had agreed to urgently list the plea after it was told that Delhi should not become the most polluted city in the world due to the rising pollution.

It had earlier said the right to live in a pollution-free atmosphere was a fundamental right of every citizen, protected by Article 21 of the Constitution.

The apex court is hearing a plea seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas.