Supreme Court Orders Delhi to Establish Checkpoints at All 113 Entry Points

The Supreme Court has directed the Delhi government and police to establish checkpoints at all 113 entry points to the capital to monitor truck entries, aiming to enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV measures against air pollution.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih emphasized the need for personnel at these checkpoints to be clearly informed about which essential commodities are permitted entry. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the current enforcement, noting that vigilance is maintained primarily at 13 major entry points, leaving approximately 100 points unchecked. The bench stated, “So far as compliance is concerned, we are not satisfied. Government has not stated clearly as to at how many entry points there are officers present to comply with measures of GRAP IV.”

To ensure compliance, the court appointed 13 advocates as commissioners to inspect these entry points and verify the enforcement of truck entry restrictions. The Additional Solicitor General was instructed to forward their names to the Delhi Police Commissioner to facilitate their visits. The court noted, “Out of 113, almost 100 entry points are unmanned in the sense that there are nobody to check the entry of trucks, 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.”

Additionally, the court directed that CCTV footage from the 13 monitored entry points be provided to the amicus curiae for review. The bench scheduled a review for November 25 to decide whether GRAP-IV restrictions should continue.

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Under GRAP-IV, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has prohibited truck entry into Delhi-NCR as a measure to combat air pollution. The Supreme Court’s directives aim to ensure strict adherence to these measures to improve air quality in the region.