New Delhi, November 17, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled out imposing year-round restrictions on activities banned under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to improve air quality in the capital, noting that such measures would disrupt livelihoods.
A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said, “A large chunk of the population depends on various activities for their livelihood. We agree with the amicus and the ASG that a long-term solution is needed to tackle the menace of pollution in a graded manner.” The court emphasised that coordinated action involving the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and officials from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana is essential.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan had argued that Delhi’s air quality has reached emergency levels, causing irreversible health damage, particularly to children, and called for a complete ban on construction and private vehicles. “All activities prohibited from GRAP 1 onwards should be prohibited for the entire year,” he said, citing reports linking air pollution to one in three deaths in the NCR and a rising incidence of lung cancer.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati opposed the move, saying a total ban would harm daily wage workers commuting from neighbouring states. Agreeing, CJI Gavai noted, “Such drastic measures would lead to a complete standstill.”
The bench, also comprising Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, directed the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana to ensure strict implementation of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) recommendations on stubble burning issued in its November 13, 2025, report. “If the CAQM’s suggestions are implemented, stubble burning can be adequately tackled,” the court said.
The court also asked ASG Bhati to submit a comprehensive action plan and posted the matter for further hearing on November 19. Senior advocate and amicus curiae Aprajita Singh noted that despite reductions in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana, overall pollution levels remain high. The bench concluded, “The issue cannot be looked at with a temporary solution; a long-drawn solution needs to be considered.”
