Supreme Court criticizes Delhi government over air pollution

The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern regarding the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). During a hearing on a suo motu case involving regulatory frameworks, a bench led by Chief Justice Suryakant identified vehicle emissions as a primary driver of the rising Air Quality Index (AQI), which has reached levels near 400.

The Court highlighted the heavy traffic congestion on roads connecting Delhi to surrounding areas such as Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad. Chief Justice Suryakant remarked that mere restrictions and orders may not be effective, noting that increasing the number of mandates could lead to more violations.

The bench also observed the social inequity of the crisis, stating that the poor do not cause the pollution but are instead its primary victims, often living on the streets where exposure is highest. The Court emphasized the need for immediate, medium-term, and long-term measures, including better coordination between the central government, the Delhi government, and various agencies to address vehicle smoke, industrial activities, construction dust, and stubble burning.