The Supreme Court said it will pass effective and enforceable orders to tackle worsening air pollution in Delhi-NCR. A three-judge bench will hear the matter on Wednesday amid concerns over poor implementation of preventive measures and severe AQI levels
Smog across New Delhi on Monday. Pic/PTI
The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will pass effective orders that are enforceable in matters relating to the worsening air pollution in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), news agency ANI reported.
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi said that it will hear the matter of the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR on Wednesday.
Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae, presented the matter before the bench, stating, “Though the preventive measures are in place, their poor implementation by the authorities was the key issue."
“Until this court directs something, the authorities do not comply with the protocols which are already there,” she added.
The senior advocate further said, "The states will not take action till the court orders... Last month an order was passed that sport events will not happen in December-January. Despite these orders having been passed for such activities, they have found ways and means to bypass the order."
After listening to the petition, the bench said, "This is coming up before a three-judge bench on Wednesday. It will come up."
Another lawyer mentioned an application concerning children's health, stating that, despite earlier orders, schools are holding outdoor sports activities, ANI reported.
CJI on rising air pollution across the national capital
Responding to the applicants, the CJI responded, "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."
Poor labourers are the worst ones to suffer, Singh said, adding that with the enforcement of GRAP-4 measures, construction workers are now left without work.
"We will only pass orders which are effective; there are certain directions which can be enforced; people will have to adapt to those conditions. They have to modify and change their lifestyle... In metropolitan cities people have their own way of life which they don't change; the problem arises with the affluent class; the poor are affected," the CJI said.
On Monday morning, the national capital recorded an overall air quality index (AQI) of 452 around 8 am, placing it in the 'severe' category, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed. Furthermore, large parts of the city were shrouded in a dense layer of toxic smog, significantly reducing visibility and causing discomfort to residents.
(With inputs from ANI)
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