The Supreme Court refused to relax emergency measures implemented under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to tackle severe air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region till it noticed a downward trend in the air quality index (AQI) level. Posting the matter for fifth of this month, a bench comprising justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, said, the Apex Court will examine the AQI levels on Thursday and find out whether there is any downward trend.

The court also noted a lack of coordination between government agencies, civic bodies and the police in implementing restrictions under the Grap-4 in the national capital.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Delhi and adjoining areas submitted a report to the court seeking that emergency measures be scaled down from Grap-4 to Grap-2 as the AQI yesterday was in poor category.