CM Rekha Gupta-led committee to monitor pollution in Delhi, domain experts and scientists to be part of panel

Delhi Pollution

What may be considered a significant step to combat the worsening air quality in Delhi, the Delhi government has decided to set up a panel, led by chief minister Rekha Gupta, to monitor the pollution levels in the national capital, reported Hindustan Times

The panel will comprise ministers from the Delhi cabinet, representatives from government departments, as well as experts and scientists.

Additionally, all departments have been directed to ensure that penalties are levied for any pollution-related violations, including on individuals, private and government agencies. The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor’ category for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. The AQI reading on Wednesday was 333 as of 5:30 pm, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

In another related development,  Warrior Moms, a collective of mothers, has urged the National Human Rights Commission to take suo motu action against Delhi's toxic air, which it said has become a "persistent and preventable" crisis violating children's fundamental right to life.

In a representation submitted to an NHRC member, Warrior Moms warned that the city's air quality — which routinely swings between the 'very poor' and 'severe' — amounts to an annual public-health emergency inflicting irreversible lung and cognitive damage on millions of children. The collective said Delhi's youngest residents bear the harshest burden, with mounting evidence linking particulate exposure to asthma, lower respiratory infections, impaired lung function, stunting, preterm births and measurable cognitive decline.

The Supreme Court on Monday said the air pollution issue in the Delhi-NCR cannot be treated as a "customary" case to be listed only during the winter months, noting that it will be taken twice in a month to find out short and long-term solutions to the menace.

On November 19, the court asked the CAQM to consider directing schools in Delhi-NCR to postpone open-air sports events scheduled for November–December to "safer months" due to toxic air levels. It had declined to impose year-round restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), an emergency framework that restricts polluting activities in severe conditions, and instead emphasised the need for long-term, sustainable solutions.