Given the increasing air pollution in Delhi, the Supreme Court has given a big order. The court has now ordered to close 10th and 12th classes in Delhi-NCR. After the order of the Supreme Court, now all classes will run online. The Supreme Court will now hear the case next on Friday.

A bench of Justice AS Oka and Justice AG Masih was hearing petitions to curb rising air pollution in Delhi and surrounding areas. During this, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the Delhi government said that physical classes have been stopped for all other students except 10th-12th. On this, senior advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan told the Supreme Court bench, 'The lungs of 10th and 12th class students cannot be different from other students… their physical classes should also be stopped.' The court then ordered to stop all physical classes till the 12th.

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over the rising air pollution levels in Delhi and questioned the Delhi government over the delay in implementing GRAP-4. The court said very strictly that permission of the court must be taken first to remove the restrictions of GRAP-4.

Supreme Court's order is necessary before removing restrictions of Grape-4.
Earlier, on Monday, the Supreme Court expressed concern over the increasing level of air pollution in Delhi and questioned the Delhi government about the delay in implementing Grape-4. The court said very strictly that permission of the court must be taken first to remove restrictions of Grape-4.

In this case, the lawyer appearing on behalf of the Delhi government told the two-judge bench of the Supreme Court that the fourth phase of GRAP has been implemented from Monday and heavy vehicles have been banned from entering the national capital. On this, the bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih said that there has been a delay in implementing the restrictions of GRAP-4 even after the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has reached dangerous levels.

The bench told the lawyer, "As soon as the AQI reaches between 300 and 400, the fourth phase has to be implemented. How can you take risks in these cases by delaying the implementation of the fourth phase of GRAP." It told the state government that the court wants to know what steps it has taken to prevent the dangerous rise in pollution levels.

The Supreme Court also said, 'Even if the AQI goes below 450, we will not allow relaxation in the restrictions of Graap-4. The fourth phase will remain in force until the court allows relaxation in it.'

CM Atishi had ordered the school closure.
Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Sunday evening announced the closure of physical classes for all students except 10th and 12th classes given rising air pollution in the capital. CM Atishi said in a post on social media platform X, 'With the implementation of Grape-4 from Monday, physical classes will be closed for all students except 10th and 12th in Delhi. All schools will conduct online classes till further orders.'

Let us tell you that given the increasing air pollution in Delhi, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) constituted by the Ministry of Environment have decided to implement the fourth phase (GRAP-4) of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi from Monday (November 18).

What are the restrictions under GRAP-4?
The fourth phase of GRAP is implemented when the pollution level increases too much and the average AQI crosses 450. After the implementation of GRAP-4, the restrictions are the highest and the most stringent. After the implementation of GRAP-4, trucks, loaders, and other heavy vehicles are not allowed to enter Delhi. However, vehicles supplying essential goods are allowed entry.

During this period, all types of construction and demolition work are banned. The state government also decides on online classes for school students as well as work from home for government and private offices. The decision of odd-even can also be taken in the fourth phase, although it is not necessary.