The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the relaxation of GRAP-4 (Graded Response Action Plan) measures in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), granting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) permission to revert to GRAP-2 measures to control pollution. However, the court emphasised that GRAP-4 must be reinstated immediately if the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses 400.
The court expressed frustration over delayed compensation to construction workers impacted by the ban on construction activities due to severe pollution. The Delhi Chief Secretary faced threats of contempt proceedings after the government disbursed only Rs 2,000 to each of the 90,000 registered workers, falling significantly short of the promised Rs 8,000. The Chief Secretary assured the court that the remaining Rs 6,000 would be distributed by the next day.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih questioned the delay in full compensation despite clear orders. Justice Oka, referencing the welfare obligations of the state, remarked:
“Why hasn’t the full amount been paid? Are the workers supposed to starve? We are issuing a contempt notice immediately—this is unacceptable.”
Previously, the Supreme Court had refused to ease GRAP-4 measures, which included bans on truck entry and construction work, citing the absence of a “downward trend” in AQI. The court also noted non-compliance by NCR states—Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh—in compensating workers as directed.
The bench criticised the poor enforcement of GRAP-4, pointing out lapses in implementing restrictions on truck entry and construction activities.