SC Seeks Report From Centre's Air Quality Panel On Steps Being Taken To Control Air Pollution In Delhi-NCR

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a report from the Centre's air quality panel CAQM on steps being undertaken to control air pollution in Delhi and areas around the national capital.

SC seeks report from air quality panel on steps being taken for controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

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The Supreme Court has sought a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM) on steps being taken to control air pollution in and around Delhi. The top court took note of issues flagged by amicus curiae regarding the problem of air pollution in Delhi-NCR during winters and crop residue burning. According to PTI, a bench of Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Sudhanshu Dhulia took note of the submissions of senior advocate Aparajita Singh regarding the menace of air pollution during winters and also about crop residue burning. Singh is assisting the apex court as an amicus curiae in the pollution matter, the agency mentioned.

As per the report, the bench observed that the amicus has pointed at the "serious problem" of air pollution with the winter approaching as well as crop residue burning. It noted that Sigh has submitted that these issues are before the CAQM.

"We call upon the CAQM to submit urgently a report as to the steps being taken for control of air pollution in and around the capital," the bench said and posted the matter for further hearing on October 31, reported PTI

This comes after Delhi's air quality recently dipped to 'poor' category with an AQI of 212, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) bulletin on Oct 7. Office of the Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that in view of increasing pollution in winter, the AAP government in the national capital has enforced an anti-dust campaign under the Winter Action Plan. His office said the campaign will run from Oct 7-Nov 7.

Stage 1 of the GRAP plan mandates the suspension of work at private construction and demolition projects with a plot size equal to or exceeding 500 sqm that is not registered on the state government's portal for remote monitoring of dust mitigation measures. Now, anti-smog guns will be employed at construction and demolition sites as well.