Directives in place but no result on the ground, says Supreme Court on Delhi air pollution

The top court expressed its deep concern in connection with the worsening air pollution in the capital

The Supreme Court on Monday expressed its deep concern over rising air pollution in the National Capital Region, saying it may set up a task force if the states failed to take up steps suggested by the Centre and the Commission for Air Quality Management.

A bench of Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices D Y Chandrachud and Surya Kant told the Centre, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab to show compliance of the directions.

The court put the matter for consideration on Thursday. The air pollution remained at severe level since the last few days in Delhi-NCR.

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Taking up a PIL by minor, Aditya Dubey, the bench asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta if the Commission was merely passing the court's directions to the states instead of taking steps on its own.

"Tell us if the states are complying with the directions or we will set up a task force," the bench told him.

The court pointed out that directions have been issued and the authorities hope that all will be good.

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“But, on the ground the result is zero," the bench said.

The court also said that the Centre claimed it was taking steps, yet pollution level in the capital is worsening day-by-day and also there is looming threat of Coronavirus.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the petitioner, contended that the ongoing construction activity in connection with the Central Vista project was also adding to the air pollution in Delhi. He asked the court to issue directions to stop it.

The bench asked Mehta to file an affidavit to explain what steps the government has taken to curb air pollution in the areas which fell under the central government's control in Delhi.

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