New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday identified vehicular emissions as a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi-NCR, stressing the need for immediate, medium-term and long-term measures to tackle deteriorating air quality.
Hearing a suo motu case on the framework for controlling air pollution, a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana expressed concern over heavy traffic and vehicles moving bumper-to-bumper across the National Capital Region.
“We keep talking, sometimes making statements and suggestions, but the fact is that the AQI has already reached close to 400,” the Chief Justice said.
The bench drew attention to the growing number of vehicles on roads connecting Delhi with neighbouring areas such as Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad.
“Look at the vehicles on Delhi’s roads and those connecting it with the NCR. That is the biggest problem,” the bench observed.
The court noted that poor people bear the brunt of air pollution as they spend considerable time outdoors. It also observed that the festive season is a crucial period for many of them to earn their livelihood.
On stubble burning, the bench stressed the need to educate farmers about using machinery instead of setting fire to crop residue.
The court also considered a plea seeking the closure of schools or their operation in hybrid mode whenever the AQI crosses a specified threshold. It said the issue would be decided based on expert opinion.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre and other authorities, outlined measures targeting five major sources of pollution: industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, construction and demolition dust, road dust and stubble burning.
She said several measures had been introduced, including restrictions on the entry of certain vehicles, geo-tagging of pollution under control (PUC) certificates and action against vehicles based on complaints.
