New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (November 22) expressed its dissatisfaction on non-restriction on vehicles banned under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV at only 13 major entry points and appointed 13 court commissioners to ascertain that the restrictions of GRAP-IV are being implemented at those entry points or not and submit a report by tomorrow.
While senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who has been appointed in the air pollution matter as amicus curiae, told a bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih that there are 113 entry points, the counsel for the Delhi Government stated that vigil is maintained primarily at 13 major entry points for ensuring compliance with clauses and b of GRAP-IV.
Out of 113, almost 100 entry points are unmanned, Apex Court noted
“This means that for other 100 points there is no restriction on vehicles which are banned under stage-IV of GRAP. We direct the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police to ensure that checkposts are immediately set up at all 113 entry points. The personnel who are going to man the entry points must be clearly informed about the accepted items which the counsel for the Delhi Government has highlighted as essential commodities,” the bench said.
There is failure on part of Delhi Police to comply with clauses under stage-IV of GRAP: Apex Court
The bench, which was informed that there are CCTV cameras at 13 entry points, further said, “It is apparent that despite orders passed by this court and CAQM, there is failure on part of Delhi Police to comply with clauses under stage-IV of GRAP” and directed to give the CCTV footage to the amicus at the earliest.
The bench appointed 13 young members of the Bar who volunteered to act as the commissioner of the court and directed the Additional Solicitor General (ASG), who appeared for the Centre, to forward these 13 names of the advocates to the Commissioner of Delhi who will immediately appoint the nodal officer, who will get in touch with these 13 members of the bar.
“This will ensure that the visit of 13 members to various entry points will be facilitated. Their job would be to ascertain that clauses a and b of GRAP-IV stage are being implemented at those entry points or not. They will be allowed to take photographs and submit a detailed report by tomorrow,” the bench said.
Would consider on Monday whether GRAP-IV stage should continue: Apex Court
The bench also said that it would consider on Monday whether the GRAP-IV stage should continue or the lower GRAP level stage should be implemented after the bench was informed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) has come down. The bench had earlier directed governments in the National Capital Region (NCR) to strictly implement stage 4 of GRAP and had said that the GRAP-IV stage will continue even if the AQI level falls below 450.
