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Supreme Court Backs Revised GRAP for Delhi-NCR, Allowing Tougher Curbs at Lower AQI

The court endorsed CAQM's plan to trigger tougher curbs at lower AQI levels to speed up responses to worsening winter smog.

Overview

  • Only Stage 3 is currently active as AQI sits in the severe range, and authorities clarified Stage 4 has not been triggered.
  • The revised framework allows higher-tier measures to kick in earlier, with 50% office attendance at Stage 3 and staggered timings at Stage 2 issued as advisories.
  • Responding to court concerns over children's exposure, CAQM advised NCR states to postpone outdoor school sports scheduled for November and December.
  • NCR governments were directed to ensure uninterrupted power, expand CNG and electric buses, and enforce stubble-burning rules, while paying subsistence allowances to workers affected by construction bans.
  • Enforcement on the ground has been stepped up under Stage 3 with checks on older or high-emitting vehicles, PUC violations and penalties including fines and possible impoundment, as the court set a 10 December review.