The Supreme Court on Saturday took a serious view of the severe air pollution in Delhi-NCR and suggested that if needed the government can declare a two-day lockdown to bring down the levels, which has been caused by stubble burning, vehicles, firecrackers, industries, dust.
At the outset, a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, that the “situation is very bad… In the house we are wearing masks. It is a bad situation”.
“How to control air pollution in Delhi, two days lockdown or what. How will people live in Delhi?” queried the Chief Justice.
Mehta began the argument detailing steps taken by the air quality management commission to abate air pollution in NCR and adjoining areas, which included steps taken to address agricultural stubble burning.
The bench also comprising Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and Surya Kant said instead of blaming the farmers, all state governments and the Centre should come together to address the air pollution issue.
The Chief Justice noted that stubble burning by farmers is only responsible for 25 per cent of the pollution, and the remaining 75 per cent pollution was from firecracker burning, vehicular pollution, dust.
Chief Justice told Mehta: “Where is the effective mechanism to control firecrackers, vehicular pollution. Look at the pollution level,”, to which the latter said that both the Centre and state governments are working together to address the issue.
The Chief Justice added: “We have nothing to do, governments need burning solutions, how to control. Need two to three days short term plans to control pollution.”
Mehta clarified that he is not saying that only farmers are responsible for the severe air pollution which has engulfed Delhi-NCR.
Justice Chandrachud pointed out that the Delhi government has opened schools and cited the AIIMS Director’s remark that it is a triple whammy – pollution, Covid, and dengue.
“Their lungs are exposed,” he added.
The top court told the Centre and the Delhi government to inform it on Monday the decisions taken to take emergency steps to address severe air pollution in the capital.
The apex court was hearing a plea by a minor boy seeking directions against stubble burning and other factors associated with high pollution levels in Delhi-NCR.
Reduce vehicle usage by 30%: GRAP
Meanwhile, the Graded Action Response Plan (GRAP) has advised THE government and private offices along with other establishments to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent on an ’emergency’ basis to curb vehicular emission in the wake of the ‘severe’ air quality in Delhi.
The vehicle usage could be minimised by working from home, carpooling, and optimising field activities, etc, a sub sub-committee of GRAP constituted by Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) order said.
GRAP convened a meeting on Friday to review the air quality of the national capital, which was under ‘severe’ category and exceeded the threshold limit of PM10 at 500 Aug/m3 and PM 2.5 at 300 Aug/m3 in Delhi-NCR.
The order has further advised people to limit outdoor activities to minimise their exposure.
Delhi’s overall air quality on Saturday morning stood at 499 under the ‘severe’ category, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
“Implementing agencies at appropriate level, must closely monitor actions taken and submit daily report to concerned SPCBs/PCC, which will review and further submit reports to CAQM and CPCB,” it added.
The order also asked the concerned authorities to strictly follow all actions mentioned in guidelines issued November 8, with more rigour.