Supreme Court hearing on Delhi pollution today as air quality dips to worst

As New Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the ‘severe plus’ category, the Supreme Court is set to hear a plea on Monday calling for the enforcement of measures to tackle air pollution in the national capital.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih will hear the petition seeking directions to curb air pollution in the national capital and adjoining areas. The top court agreed for an urgent hearing, given the worsening air pollution in the city.
On Monday, the Air Quality Index in Delhi surged to 481, marking the worst level of the season and remaining in the severe plus category for the second consecutive day.
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, acting as amicus curiae, pointed out that the Supreme Court had previously authorised preemptive measures to prevent such extreme pollution levels, yet authorities have failed to take action. She argued that Delhi should not be allowed to become the most polluted city in the world due to the escalating pollution levels.
The amicus curie, appointed to assist a court by offering information and expertise, also told the Supreme Court that she had intimated the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) and they should explain the steps being taken to curb pollution.
The Supreme Court has been addressing complaints over worsening air pollution in Delhi, attributed to various sources such as stubble burning, firecrackers, vehicular emissions, garbage burning, and industrial pollution, among others.
In November, the court strongly criticised the Delhi Police and the government for failing to effectively enforce the firecracker ban in the city. Emphasising that no religion advocates pollution-causing practices, the court underscored that every citizen has a fundamental right to a pollution-free environment under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The court also censured the Punjab and Haryana governments for not complying with the orders of the central commission regarding the ban on stubble burning. It noted that these states had failed to take action against officials who disregarded the directives, opting instead to issue mere show-cause notices.