As the air quality in Delhi continues to deteriorate, the Supreme Court on Monday strongly criticised the state government for delaying the implementation of stricter anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-3).

Expressing concern over the situation, the court raised questions to authorities about the three-day delay in enforcing GRAP-3 in the National Capital. The Apex Court indicated that it might pass an order preventing authorities from going below GRAP stage 4 without the court’s permission, even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) drops below 300.

In response, the Delhi government assured the Court that GRAP-4 be imposed starting today. The Court has deferred the matter and is planning to take it up again at the end of the board on November 18.

The bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih raised concerns over the alarming pollution levels in Delhi in their order, as per PTI reports.

The Air Quality in Delhi reached the ‘severe plus’ category on Monday morning as the city recorded an AQI of 484. The Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region & surrounding areas ordered the implementation of the GRAP Stage-IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR from today.