Delhi pollution: Supreme Court suggests reopening schools, refuses to relax curbs

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to relax the strict Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-4 measures being enforced in Delhi-NCR to curb rising pollution, but suggested that educational institutions in the National Capital Region (NCR) could reopen for physical classes.

The court also directed the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider relaxing norms to allow schools to reopen, noting that a large number of students cannot avail mid-day meals, online classes and do not have access to air purifiers, reported news agency ANI.

Also read: Delhi schools stay closed despite improving air quality; online classes continue, await govt update

The top court also came down heavily on the authorities, asking the CAQM to take action against the Delhi government, city police and others responsible for not complying with its order under GARP-4 to prevent the entry of trucks into the national capital.

Despite permitting relaxation of GRAP-4 measures in order to allow physical classes, the court noted that it could not order curbs below GRAP-3 or GRAP-2 unless it is satisfied with the consistent decrease in the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Also read: Smog returns in Delhi as AQI plunges to 'very poor' category

The court also asked the state governments to use the labour cess it collected for the subsistence of the labourers during the construction ban.

SC questions Delhi govt over entry of trucks, to take call next week on lifting GRAP-4 curbs

As of now, schools have been instructed to conduct classes online, with the heads of educational institutions ensuring that parents are informed promptly. The latest updates from the government have provided no clarity on when physical classes might resume.

While the air quality in Delhi has improved slightly, with AQI levels dipping below the 300-mark on Monday morning, the pollution levels still remain in the ‘poor’ category. This continues to be a concern for residents, especially for children and elderly people. Experts advise that precautions should still be taken to minimize exposure to harmful pollutants.