New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued a circular advising its staff to wear masks in view of the prevailing severe pollution levels in the national capital.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital plummeted to “severe” pollution levels and some areas on Monday recorded a maximum AQI of 500 in the afternoon and Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-IV has been implemented by authorities to check the pollution in the city.
Current pollution levels in the city has left people gasping for breath
The current pollution levels in the city has left people gasping for breath and people are complaining about itchy eyes and sore throats, raising concerns about health risks. According to a data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s 24-hour AQI, recorded at 4 pm daily, stood at 494, which is the worst in the last six year and out of total 39 monitoring stations in the national capital, 15 recorded the air quality at 500.
Everyone is advised to ensure wearing of a mask, SC circular to its staff
“Everyone is, therefore, advised to ensure the wearing of a mask and taking (preventive) health measures…,” the circular issued by the assistant registrar of the Supreme Court said.
Apex court directed all governments in NCR to strictly implement GRAP-IV stage
The Supreme Court on Monday, while hearing a plea on air pollution in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), directed all governments in the NCR to strictly implement stage IV of GRAP and to immediately set up teams to enforce GRAP 4 restrictions. It said that the restrictions under GRAP-IV stage will continue even if AQI level falls below 450.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih also directed the state governments in the NCR to take an immediate call to stop physical classes of all standards up to class 12.
The bench also came down heavily on authorities in Delhi and NCR over the prevailing pollution situation in Delhi and NCR and flagged the delay in implementation of stricter measures under the third and fourth stage of GRAP.
