SC asks Centre to take steps to curb pollution in whole country

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to take steps to curb air pollution not only in Delhi-National Capital Region but also in other cities like Patna and Raipur that suffered similar problems.

A bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta asked Additional Solicitor General A N S Nadkarni to prepare an action plan, taking into consideration the requirements of the whole country.

"In our order on December 13, 2017, we had also observed that it might be appropriate if the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change looks into the matter of air pollution on a nation-wide basis since it is not a problem confined to the NCR but one concerning the entire country," the bench said.

The law officer sought time for putting forth the response in this regard, prompting the court to put the matter for consideration on February 5.

Examining the issue of air pollution in the case filed by advocate M C Mehta, the bench noted the submission by Nadkarni that the Central Pollution Control Board has been asked to issue appropriate direction under the Environment Protection Act, 1986, to all the stake holders concerned at the Centre and in Delhi-NCR states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan for undertaking all necessary measures for meeting the timelines as prescribed in the comprehensive action plan.