Delhi-NCR air pollution: Why the Supreme Court declined an urgent hearing on Monday

Delhi Pollution (Image: AFP)

The Supreme Court on Friday declined a plea for an urgent hearing on the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR. The counsel in the case mentioned the matter before a Bench comprising Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran, according to LiveLaw.

The counsel urged the Court to list the matter for urgent hearing, stressing the “constantly deteriorating” air conditions in the capital.

“The air quality in NCR is deteriorating, as my lords may also be aware. On 3rd November, my lords directed the commission and the CPCB to file an affidavit - there is no date for listing of that, my lords may list it on Monday, it's urgent. We don't really know what's happening, and the city's air is constantly deteriorating,” the counsel has been quoted to say.

Responding to the plea, the CJI clarified that the matter was already listed for November 12. The counsel, however, noted that the tentative cause list indicated November 14. The counsel urged that it be taken up on November 10 instead.

According to the report, the CJI refused the request, explaining that the bench was engaged with the ongoing hearing on challenges to the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021.

He remarked, “We will keep it along the Taj Trapezium,” suggesting that the air pollution case could be heard together with the Taj Trapezium Zone matter.

At the previous hearing, the Court had been informed about reports indicating the non-functioning of several air monitoring stations in Delhi.

Taking note of this, the bench had directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit detailing steps taken to prevent further deterioration.

Earlier, on October 14, the Court had temporarily eased the complete ban on firecrackers in the NCR, allowing the use of “green crackers” under regulated conditions for the Diwali period. Following the precedent from Arjun Gopal v. Union of India (2018), the relaxation was described as a short-term measure, effective only around the festival.

Delhi-NCR's worsening air quality

The air quality in the national capital remained in the 'very poor' category on Saturday morning as Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reading stood at 355, as of 8 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The data from AQI.in showed Delhi recording an alarming AQI of 653 at 7 a.m., a figure classified as “hazardous.”

Visuals from several parts of the city captured streets and neighbourhoods blanketed in thick smog, with significantly reduced visibility in the early morning hours.

According to CPCB, AQI at India Gate was 322. In the Palam area, the AQI recorded was 320, while in Dhaula Kuan AQI reported was 269.

A local resident, Karan Sharma told news agency ANI that the pollution levels have made it difficult to breathe and urged the government to take immediate action to address the worsening situation.

"The pollution is very high. We face difficulties in breathing. No action is being taken by the concerned departments. The government should pay attention to the issue," Sharma has been quoted to say.

On Friday, the air quality in the national capital dipped to the 'very poor' category, with Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 312, according to CPCB.

On Thursday, Delhi's overall AQI recorded at 8 am was 271, categorised as 'poor', according to data from the CPCB.

Several monitoring station across the city recorded 'very poor' air quality, as Anand VIhar reported an AQI of 332, Alipur 316, Ashok Vihar 332, Bawana 366, Burari Crossing 345, Chandni Chowk 354, Dwarka Sector-8 310, ITO 337, Jahangirpuri 342, Mundka 335, Narela 335, Okhla Phase 2 307, Patparganj 314, Punjabi Bagh 343, RK Puram 321, Rohini 336 and Sonia Vihar 326 -- all categorized as 'very poor' as of 8 am according to the CPCB live air quality index.

Since Diwali, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has been reeling under the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories in several areas, even as Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains in effect.

The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has already announced the doubling of parking fees across the national capital after the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage II was invoked due to deteriorating air quality.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.