The Supreme Court has identified vehicular pollution as a major contributor to Delhi’s deteriorating air quality, as the capital’s air moves towards the severe category ahead of Diwali. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was hearing a suo motu case examining the regulatory framework governing air pollution in the National Capital Region.
Opening the hearing with a dry remark, the Chief Justice said he hoped everyone was enjoying the weather, before turning to the worsening air. “We keep talking, sometimes make statements and suggestions, but the point is that AQI is already touching 400,” he said, referring to the Air Quality Index.
Traffic under the spotlight
The bench pointed to bumper-to-bumper vehicles on the roads linking Delhi with Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad, describing traffic as the major problem. The court was informed that farm fires contributed 14 per cent to Delhi’s pollution, while the bench also questioned whether bans on vehicles and construction, tried repeatedly in the past, had delivered results.
Delhi’s overall AQI stood at 389 in the morning, in the very poor category, and hovered around 391 through the day. As many as 27 of 57 monitoring stations recorded readings above 400, with the highest at 457. Jahangirpuri recorded the worst reading at 459, followed by IIT Delhi at 447.
GRAP Stage III curbs kick in
Hours after the hearing, the Commission for Air Quality Management invoked GRAP Stage III across Delhi-NCR as a precautionary measure. The curbs include a ban on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and five neighbouring NCR cities, a ban on dust-generating construction and demolition activity, and a shift to hybrid classes for students up to Grade 5.
The weather office has forecast that air quality is likely to remain very poor and turn severe over the coming days, with weaker winds trapping pollutants over the city. The court has listed the matter for further hearing on November 16, after the Diwali holidays, and has sought pollution data from the authorities to judge whether the curbs are working.
Rain had brought brief relief to Delhi’s air as winter approached, while the Supreme Court has also questioned the Election Commission over voter re-enrolment in Delhi. The pollution case now turns on whether the measures in place can keep the capital breathing through the festival season.
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