Suryaa National Desk: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating air quality in the national capital and the Delhi-NCR region. The court stated that, alongside crop residue burning, emissions from vehicles on the roads are a primary cause of air pollution. Noting that the Air Quality Index (AQI) is reaching the 400 mark, the court directed the government to focus on practical measures to reduce pollution levels immediately rather than relying on hypothetical targets.
A bench led by the Chief Justice observed that traffic congestion on roads connecting Delhi to NCR cities like Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad has increased significantly. The court noted that bumper-to-bumper traffic releases continuous emissions, which are toxic to the environment. The bench expressed dissatisfaction, stating that while thousands of vehicles enter Delhi daily for only a few hours, the damage caused is severe. The court suggested that imposing restrictions alone is insufficient, and that permanent alternative transport solutions and changes in public behavior are necessary.
Analyzing the impact of pollution, the bench observed that daily wage laborers and the poor, who live on the streets and do not contribute to the pollution, are the most affected. Regarding farmers, the court directed the government not only to take action against those burning crop residue but also to provide awareness regarding machinery, alternative methods, and financial benefits for waste management. The bench adjourned the hearing after directing the implementation of immediate, short-term, and long-term plans to control air pollution.