SC raps CAQM on Delhi air pollution, says 'find reasons first, then solution'

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• Supreme Court urges expert-led identification of Delhi's main pollution sources
• CAQM told to convene experts and disclose findings within two weeks
• Delhi's AQI remains poor, with Chandni Chowk at 'very poor' level

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The Supreme Court on Tuesday emphasised that the root causes of Delhi’s air pollution must be identified before any solutions are implemented. It said expert agencies should first determine which sources are contributing the most to the pollution and only then recommend corrective measures.

The court also increased its scrutiny of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), instructing it to make its findings public and warning that any delay in expert analysis would only worsen the situation.

While hearing a batch of petitions on Delhi’s air quality, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant reiterated that the court would not function as a “super expert.” However, it stressed that expert-led discussions must be conducted transparently and within a fixed time frame.

To this end, the Supreme Court directed CAQM to shortlist domain experts and convene a meeting within two weeks to arrive at a considered and, if possible, unanimous opinion on the causes of the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI).

The court said CAQM is obligated to bring experts from relevant domains “under one umbrella" to determine the reasons for worsening air quality.

“The reasons should be in the public domain," the CJI said, adding that people must at least know what, according to expert bodies, are the primary contributors to pollution.

The court noted that once such reasons are disclosed, public suggestions could also be invited, lending credibility and accountability to the process.

Pulling up CAQM for its approach, the bench remarked that the body appeared to be “in no hurry" either to identify the causes of the worsening AQI or to work towards long-term solutions.

Warning of the consequences of inaction, the court observed that inordinate delay in finding solutions would lead to “further complications," particularly given the recurring nature of the pollution crisis in the national capital.

The court further directed CAQM to begin considering long-term solutions for those reasons found to be contributing the maximum pollution, underlining that piecemeal or reactive measures would not suffice.

“As an expert body, have you been able to find causes is the first question, finding solutions would be a second stage," the CJI said, cautioning against general statements about competing factors without clear attribution.

During the hearing, the bench flagged construction activity and vehicular emissions as areas requiring expert assessment, while acknowledging competing social needs.

“There is a dire need for housing, so construction will go on. But if construction is causing a problem, what will be done?" the CJI asked, adding that expert bodies must provide estimated contributions of each factor.

On vehicular pollution, the court noted that it was contributing nearly 40 per cent, but warned against simplistic solutions.

“It’s easy to say buses and trucks cause pollution. If buses are stopped, how will the common man travel?" the court said.

The bench also observed that blame often disproportionately falls on farmers, recalling that during the pandemic period, when stubble burning was high, Delhi had witnessed blue skies.

The observation was made to underscore the need for a comprehensive, data-backed evaluation rather than selective attribution.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that a status report could be filed on the issues flagged and that responses had been submitted on two aspects raised during the previous hearing, including the ECC toll issue, while seeking time on both.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality continued to remain a concern.

According to a PTI report citing data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer app, the city’s average AQI stood at 293 on Tuesday morning, placing it in the ‘poor’ category.

Chandni Chowk recorded the worst air quality at 352 in the ‘very poor’ category.

Overall, 20 stations logged ‘very poor’ air quality, 15 were in the ‘poor’ category and two recorded ‘moderate’ levels. On Monday, the city’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 244, also in the ‘poor’ category.

The Air Quality Early Warning System has indicated that Delhi’s air is expected to remain in the poor to very poor range over the next six days.