Delhi Pollution Highlights: “Don't Relax Curbs Without Informing Us”, Top Court Tells Delhi Government

Delhi Air Pollution Live Updates: The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Delhi government over the worsening air quality in the national capital, asking why there was a delay in implementing the anti-pollution measures. "Why did we wait for the air quality index to cross 300?" the top court asked.

The top court was hearing a petition seeking enforcement of measures to curb air pollution in the national capital.

Delhi's air quality plunged to 'severe plus' for the first time this season, forcing the government to implement Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) - an anti-pollution plan. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data, Delhi's air quality Index (AQI) was 481 this morning. Of the 35 monitoring stations in the national capital, most recorded over 400 AQI, with Dwarka reporting the highest at 499.

Here are the developments on the Delhi air pollution crisis:

Nov 18, 2024

22:37 (IST)

All Delhi School Classes Go Online After Top Court Rap Over Air Pollution
The Delhi and Haryana governments on Monday suspended physical classes for standards 10 and 12 in the national capital and neighbouring Gurugram, hours after the Supreme Court directed all states in the National Capital Region (NCR) to shift to the online mode in view of the deteriorating air quality in the city.

Nov 18, 2024

21:06 (IST)

Primary schools in Gurugram shut amid rising air pollution
Amid rising air pollution in Delhi and NCR, the Gurugram administration ordered the temporary closing of primary schools in the district on Monday. The orders issued said it was found that in the last 24 hours, the AQI in some areas has been in the "very poor" category and also reached the "severe" category.

Nov 18, 2024

19:30 (IST)

Delhi govt demands Centre to take "emergency measures" over rising pollution in north India
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said the Delhi government is "doing its part" to tackle the worsening air quality, and demanded that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre take immediate action to protect not just the national capital, but the entire North India region. "At its level, the Delhi government is taking all possible steps... I demand that the central government take emergency measures so that the whole of north India can be saved from this situation," Rai said.

Nov 18, 2024

16:49 (IST)

"Lungs Different For Class X, XII?" Online Classes Request in Supreme Court As Delhi Gasps
A Supreme Court hearing on Monday on a batch of pleas related to the worsening air quality in the NCR region saw a petitioner questioning the Delhi government's decision to discontinue physical classes for some students.

Nov 18, 2024

15:34 (IST)

SC Seeks Real Time Data on Stubble Burning

The top court directed the Centre to get real time data from the Indian Space Research  and other agencies on stubble burning. "We want all instances of burning to be given on a real time to all states," it said. 

Nov 18, 2024

15:29 (IST)

Some Sense Of Urgency Needs To Be There: SC To CAQM
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) waited for improvement in weather conditions, instead of implementing different stages of GRAP amid the alarming rise in pollution level, the top court said. "Some sense of urgency needs to be there," the court told CAQM.

Nov 18, 2024

14:22 (IST)

11 flights to Delhi diverted
At least 11 flights to Delhi have been diverted on Monday due to the low visibility owing to the 'severe plus' air quality.

Nov 18, 2024

13:46 (IST)

Delhi Pollution, Supreme Court: Supreme Court Pulls Up Authorities As Delhi Gasps For Air, Adds A Warning
As Delhi's air quality plunged to the 'severe-plus' category this morning, the Supreme Court today pulled up authorities over the delay in implementing tough restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle the bad air days

Nov 18, 2024

12:44 (IST)

Trains, Flights delayed due to smog in Delhi

The visibility in Delhi dropped to around 150 meters after the air quality touched 'severe plus' in the national capital, causing delay in trains and flights. 

Several SpiceJet, IndiGo and Air India flights have been delayed.

Trains, including, Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Express, Rajgir-New Delhi Shramjeevi Express coming have been delayed by three hours.

Nov 18, 2024

12:23 (IST)

Delhi air quality How GRAP-4 Anti-Pollution Curbs May Impact Major Projects In Delhi
Delhi's air quality plunged to 'severe plus' for the first time this year on Sunday night, forcing the government to implement Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Nov 18, 2024

12:08 (IST)

AQI levels in Delhi: Latest CPCB data

Dwarka,sector-8 (DPCC) -500

Major dhyanchand national stadium - 497

Najafgarh - 497

Bawana - 495

Ashok vihar - 495

Mundka - 495

Wazirpur - 492

Rohini  - 492

Pusa - 491

Nov 18, 2024

11:57 (IST)

GRAP 4 In Delhi, Delhi Air Pollution, Delhi Air Quality: GRAP 4 In Delhi Explained: What Is Banned, What Is Allowed
In response to worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has decided to activate Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from today.

Nov 18, 2024

11:55 (IST)

Smog in Delhi more than 60 times WHO limit: Report

Residents of Delhi choked in a blanketing toxic smog on Monday as worsening air pollution surged past 60 times the World Health Organization's recommended daily maximum, news agency AFP reported citing  IQAir pollution monitors.

According to the report, the level of deadly PM2.5 pollutants (fine particulate matter in the air that causes the most damage to health) peaked, with a reading above 15 in a 24-hour period considered unhealthy by the WHO.

Nov 18, 2024

11:50 (IST)

What are the restrictions under GRAP-4?

Under the GRAP-4, a ban has been imposed on Delhi-registered BS-IV or older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles. All trucks and light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi will not be allowed to enter the national capital, except for those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services

Additionally, all schools have been shifted online, except for Classes 10 and 12. Public and private offices have also been asked to work at 50 per cent capacity and the rest have been recommended to work from home.

According to a government release, the state government may consider additional emergency measures such as the closure of non-emergency commercial activities, and permitting the running of vehicles on an odd-even basis of registration numbers.

Nov 18, 2024

11:43 (IST)

"Don't relax curbs without informing": Supreme Court tells Delhi government

The Supreme Court told the Delhi government to not relax the GRAP-4 anti-pollution curbs without the court's order.

Nov 18, 2024

11:39 (IST)

Atishi Slams Centre Over "Inaction" On Stubble Burning

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi hit out at the central government on Monday, accusing it of "inaction" and "politics on pollution" after the air quality in the national capital worsens and plunges into the 'severe plus' category.

According to Atishi, the stubbing burning incidents have been increased in the last six years in Madhya Pradesh. 

"What has centre done to curb this?," she questioned.

Nov 18, 2024

11:35 (IST)

What does the plea in Supreme Court say?
The petitioners, on November 14, had demanded an early hearing from the Supreme Court over the air pollution in Delhi, saying that the situation is becoming "serious". According to the plea, the Delhi government did not take any concrete measures to curb the pollution levels.

Nov 18, 2024

11:26 (IST)

Supreme Court questions delay in anti-pollution measures in Delhi

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Delhi government over the worsening air quality in the national capital.

"Why did we wait for the air quality index to cross 300...How could the government take such a risk?"

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