Severe air pollution: CAQM asks Delhi-NCR states to stop outdoor sports
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New Delhi: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed the Delhi government and neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) states to ensure immediate and strict compliance with the Supreme Court’s order mandating the postponement of outdoor physical sports competitions during periods of adverse air quality.
In a draft communication dated December 13 and shared on X, the CAQM expressed concern that despite earlier clear directions, some schools and institutions in the Delhi-NCR region were continuing to conduct outdoor sports activities, thereby potentially exposing children to serious health risks.
The directions follow a November 19 order of the Supreme Court in the MC Mehta vs Union of India case, in which the apex court highlighted the dangers posed by deteriorating air quality, particularly to children.
Acting on the court’s observations, the CAQM had earlier instructed states to postpone all outdoor sports competitions scheduled during November and December. The Commission noted that the prevailing air pollution levels across the NCR remain severe, making such activities contrary to both the spirit and intent of the Supreme Court’s directions.
In the draft, the CAQM has asked the Chief Secretaries of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to issue fresh instructions to all schools, educational institutions, sports bodies, and local authorities to discontinue outdoor physical sports activities with immediate effect. It also stressed the need to sensitise schools and parents about the health risks associated with exposure to polluted air.
Further, state governments have been directed to closely monitor compliance at the ground level and take appropriate action in cases of any violation. The Commission underlined that the continuation of outdoor sports during periods of poor air quality poses a serious threat to children’s respiratory health.
The communication, issued with the approval of the competent authority, has also been circulated to key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Sports Authority of India, the School Games Federation of India, and the pollution control boards of NCR states.
Meanwhile, as air quality in the national capital continues to deteriorate, the CAQM on Saturday invoked Stage III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR, placing the region in the ‘Severe’ pollution category.
The decision was taken after Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 400 mark on Friday morning, reaching 401 by 10 a.m.
With IANS inputs