Supreme Court flags concerns over GRAP-4 implementation; directs monitoring of Delhi entry points for heavy vehicles

PTC News Desk: As Delhi is choking with toxic air prompting the implementation of GRAP-4, the Supreme Court has flagged concerns in the policy which bans truck entry and temporarily halts construction at public projects.

The top court rapped Delhi government and police asserting that they failed to implement GRAP Stage 4 restrictions regarding heavy vehicles entering the Capital. The court has ordered the CCTV footage to investigate whether the vehicles were actually permitted to enter the capital or not. Court appointed 13 lawyers to visit the 13 points and submit a report before Monday, November 25, on whether the heavy vehicles and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) registered outside Delhi not carrying essential items are being allowed.  "We asked members of the bar to go and check those points. We are happy to note that 13 young members of the bar have volunteered to act as commissioner of this court."

"Out of 113, almost 100 entry points are unmanned in the sense that there is nobody to check the entry of trucks... We direct the Delhi government and Delhi Police to ensure that check posts are immediately set up at all 113 entry points," the Supreme Court said.

Earlier this week, the top court had ordered all Delhi-NCR states to immediately enable anti-pollution GRAP 4 restrictions and the orders to be remained in place until further notice. 

"As far as stopping entry of trucks and entry of vehicles registered outside Delhi is concerned, we are not satisfied. The (Delhi) government has not stated clearly as to at how many entry points, there are teams present to prevent the entry of vehicles," it said.