Supreme Court to Hear Delhi-NCR Air Pollution Plea on Dec 17

New Delhi, Dec 15: The Supreme Court on Monday said it will list for hearing on December 17 a plea concerning the worsening air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR, amid concerns over poor implementation of existing preventive measures.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pamcholi took note of submissions made by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the court as amicus curiae, who said that while adequate protocols exist, authorities fail to implement them effectively.

Singh told the court that authorities comply with pollution-control measures only after specific directions are issued. “Till this court directs something, the authorities do not comply with the protocols which are already there,” she said.

Responding to the submissions, the Chief Justice said the matter would be taken up by a three-judge bench on Wednesday. “This is coming up before a three judges bench on Wednesday. It will come up,” he said.

Another lawyer drew the court’s attention to an application highlighting health concerns of children, stating that schools were continuing outdoor sports activities despite earlier court orders. Singh echoed the concern, saying that schools had found ways to continue such activities and that the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was again citing Supreme Court orders.

“We know the problem and let us pass orders which can be complied with. There are some directions which can be forcibly imposed. In these urban metropolitan cities people have their own lifestyle. But the poor…,” the Chief Justice observed.

Earlier, the bench had said that pleas related to air pollution cannot be treated as “customary” cases to be listed only during winter months. It had decided to take up the matter twice every month to explore both short-term and long-term solutions to the problem.

Meanwhile, Delhi continued to reel under a thick blanket of smog on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 498, placing it in the higher end of the ‘severe’ category. Air quality was recorded as ‘severe’ at 38 monitoring stations and ‘very poor’ at two.

Jahangirpuri registered the worst air quality among 40 stations, recording an AQI of 498. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, an AQI between 401 and 500 is categorised as ‘severe’.

Delhi’s AQI had touched 461 on Sunday, marking the city’s most polluted day this winter and the second-worst December air quality day on record, as weak winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the surface. (Agencies)