New Delhi, November 17, 2025 — The Supreme Court on Monday declined to impose year-round restrictions on activities prohibited under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), warning that such measures could disrupt livelihoods in the capital region.
A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai said, “We are of the view, which is agreed by amicus curiae and the ASG, that the issue cannot be looked at with a temporary solution and a long-drawn solution needs to be looked at.” The court highlighted the need for coordinated action between the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and officials from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan had argued that Delhi has become a “gas chamber,” demanding a complete ban on construction and private vehicles, citing reports linking air pollution to one in three deaths in the NCR and rising lung cancer cases.
Opposing the proposal, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said a complete ban would disrupt daily wage workers from neighbouring states. “We do not possess expertise to override GRAP restrictions set by experts based on scientific data,” the bench said, turning down the plea.
The court directed Punjab and Haryana Chief Secretaries to strictly follow the CAQM’s November 13 recommendations to curb stubble burning. “If these suggestions are implemented, stubble burning can be adequately tackled,” the bench said.
Amicus curiae Aprajita Singh noted that although Punjab reported fewer stubble-burning incidents and Haryana saw active fire locations drop from 6,987 in 2021 to 479 in 2025, pollution levels remain high. The court asked ASG Bhati to submit a full action plan and scheduled the next hearing for November 19 to issue further directions.
