Supreme Court Questions Delhi Government’s Delay in Addressing Air Pollution Crisis as AQI Hits ‘Severe Plus’

Keywords ; Supreme Court, Delhi government, air pollution, AQI, Graded Response Action Plan, GRAP, stubble burning, air quality crisis,

Supreme Court Calls Out Delhi Government Over Delay in Anti-Pollution Measures Amid Severe Air Quality Crisis

On Monday, the Supreme Court sharply questioned the Delhi government for the delay in implementing anti-pollution measures, as the national capital’s air quality hit hazardous levels. The Court’s intervention came amid growing concerns over the city’s air quality, which had plunged into the ‘severe plus’ category for the first time this season, registering an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 481.

Court’s Query on Delay in Action

While hearing a plea for immediate enforcement of pollution control measures, the Supreme Court asked, “Why did we wait for the air quality index to cross 300? How could the government take such a risk?” The Court’s comments came as the AQI crossed dangerous levels, with several monitoring stations across the capital recording AQI above 400, and Dwarka reporting a high of 499.

Stage 4 of Graded Response Action Plan Activated

In response to the crisis, the Delhi government implemented Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which outlines strict measures to curb air pollution. This stage includes measures like halting construction work, banning non-essential vehicular movement, and shutting down power plants that contribute to pollution.

The deteriorating air quality was attributed to a combination of factors, including stubble burning in neighboring states, vehicular emissions, and local pollution sources.

Political Reactions to the Crisis

Delhi’s Chief Minister, Atishi, also criticized the central government for its “inaction” on tackling stubble burning, a key contributor to the pollution levels. Atishi pointed out that stubble burning incidents have surged in states like Madhya Pradesh, accusing the central government of playing politics rather than taking substantial steps to curb the issue. She questioned, “What has the Centre done to curb this?”

The Plea for Urgent Action

The petitioners, who filed the plea on November 14, had sought urgent intervention from the Supreme Court, citing the worsening pollution levels and the lack of concrete measures from the Delhi government. The petition highlighted that despite the gravity of the situation, no substantial steps were taken by the Delhi government to address the rising pollution.

Conclusion and Way Forward

With the AQI reaching hazardous levels, the Supreme Court’s questioning of the government’s delayed response underscores the urgency of tackling Delhi’s air pollution crisis. The Court’s remarks highlight the need for swift, coordinated action to protect public health and curb the environmental and health impacts of poor air quality.

This judicial scrutiny comes at a time when the public is increasingly concerned about the lack of effective measures to tackle pollution. The government’s response to the Court’s observations and the steps it will take in the coming days will likely have significant implications for both the political landscape and public health in Delhi.

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