Alka Verma –
Published on: November 24, 2021 at 20:10 IST
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of India again pulled up the Central Government over the issue of increasing air pollution and decreased air quality in Delhi.
Adding to this, the Court also stated that it is not going to close the air pollution case.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justice Surya Kant also made it is clear that it will always continue to hear this matter.
“Even though the pollution has come down, we are not going to close this matter. We are going to continue to give directions. Almost every day or every second day, we have to hear this. The AQI is 381 at present. Your figure of 290 may not be correct. I don’t think there is any substantial change. There may be a little less pollution, but it’s going to get serious again. Take [mitigation] measures for another 2-3 days,” stated the Bench.
“This is the National Capital. Look at the signal we are sending to the World. You have to predict the situation based on statistics and take action in anticipation so that the situation does not go severe,” it added.
The Bench also suggested that the Government to use a statistical-based model to deal with the air pollution in Delhi-NCR.
During the hearing, the Bench also asked about the stubble burning situation of Punjab, Haryana & Uttar Pradesh.
In reply to this, Senior advocate Vikas Singh, who was representing the Petitioner, informed the Court because of the elections happening in Punjab this year, fines were not being imposed to please farmers.
“We can’t micromanage what each State is doing. You said the situation will improve. Please tell us what steps you have taken,” the Bench replied stating that it doesn’t care about the elections.
At the end, while listing the matter on November 29, the Court stated that, “In the meantime, if the pollution level becomes 100, then some restrictions can be lifted.”
It should be noted here that the quality of the air in the National Capital got very poor post Diwali and on Wednesday it again slipped into very low category.