New Delhi: The Supreme Court will resume hearing today on a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning hazardous air pollution levels in Delhi and adjoining areas.
The matter comes amid worsening conditions caused by stubble burning and stagnant weather, which have pushed Delhi-NCR’s air quality into the “severe” category.
According to the cause list, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, along with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, will take up the case.
At the previous hearing on November 12, the Bench expressed concern over deteriorating air quality despite enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). It directed Punjab and Haryana governments to file affidavits detailing measures to curb stubble burning. The court noted submissions highlighting AQI readings above 450 at several locations.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan pointed out that construction activities, including drilling outside the Supreme Court premises, were continuing despite hazardous conditions. “At least for a few days, such activities should stop,” he told the court.
Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh flagged discrepancies in official pollution data and warned that the situation had become “very dangerous.”
The Bench has sought a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on monitoring and enforcement, and has asked the Centre to consider strict penalties, including arrests, to deter crop residue burning.
Justice P. S. Narasimha recently urged advocates to avoid physical appearances and opt for virtual hearings, warning that Delhi’s toxic air could cause “permanent damage.”
“Situation is very, very serious! Why are you all appearing here?” he remarked, adding: “We have the virtual hearing facility. Please avail it. This pollution will cause permanent damage.”
(Inputs from IANS)