‘Result Is Zero’: SC Directs State Govts To Submit Report On Steps Taken For Curbing Air Pollution In NCR

The top court observed that the intentions of the Commission are good and directions are given but the “result is zero”. 

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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab governments to elaborate steps taken by them in compliance with directions issued by Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining areas to curb air pollution.

The apex court sought compliance reports from them, news agency ANI reported. 

A Bench of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justice Surya Kant was hearing a matter seeking emergency steps to control the worsening air quality situation in the national capital when it directed the Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab governments to submit compliance reports.

It also asked the state governments to show compliance with the directions issued by the Court on November 24 to disburse the welfare funds to construction workers, whose livelihoods get affected due to the ban imposed on construction activities, reported ANI. 

The top court observed that the intentions of the Commission are good and directions are given but the “result is zero”. 

Earlier on November 24, the Supreme Court had stated that the air quality crisis in Delhi calls for a scientific study and suggested a statistical-based model on wind patterns to take advance measures to curb air pollution in Delhi-NCR before the situation deteriorates. 

It had noted that advance measures must be taken to deal with Delhi's air quality crisis, observing that the governments take measures to control only when the weather becomes severe. 

The states are required to submit the affidavits by Wednesday evening, Live Law mentioned in its report.

Re-Imposed Ban On Construction Activities In Delhi And NCR, Centre Tells SC

Besides this, the Supreme Court asked the Union government to respond to issues related to construction activities including the Central Vista project under its domain. 

The Centre told the Supreme Court that it has re-imposed the ban on construction activities in Delhi and the NCR in view of the worsening air quality.

In an affidavit, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) told the bench that the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas has directed the state governments in NCR and the Delhi government to ensure restrictions on construction activities with exceptions as per its November 24 order, news agency PTI reported.
In its November 24 order, the SC Bench had re-imposed the ban on construction activities in Delhi-NCR and directed the states to provide subsistence to workers from the funds collected as labour cess for the period during which such activities are prohibited.

The Centre’s affidavit stated that in pursuance of its order, detailed deliberations were held with experts from the India Meteorological Department and their associated organisations to explore the formulation of a statistical model towards forecasting and air pollution-related activities and developing a suitable guiding mechanism to deal with adverse air quality scenario.

In view of the extreme urgency of the matter, the Expert Group has been asked to immediately convene its meeting and draw a road map for the accomplishment of the assigned tasks as per Terms of Reference, it informed.

“The Commission has identified certain major sectors contributing to air pollution in this region namely -- Industrial and vehicular pollution, agricultural stubble burning, management of dust from construction and demolition Project activities, Road and Open Areas Dust Management and Biomass Burning, Municipal Solid Waste burning, Fires in Sanitary Landfills, etc,” the Environment ministry mentioned in its affidavit.

It submitted that the Central Pollution Control Board has deployed 24 dedicated teams from November 20 for providing field feedback on polluting activities.

The Centre stressed that the Commission has been regularly and scrupulously monitoring and ensuring compliance with the directions issued by the top court, however, on the ground, there are reports of certain shortcomings in the implementation of the directions.

“Thus in the interest of justice and in the interest of the emergent need to improve the Air Quality in the region, it is respectfully submitted that the respective State Governments may be directed to submit its compliance report on the status of industries in NCR running on any other fuels, other than PNG, implementation of the direction of the ban on the use of diesel generating (DG) sets among others,” it stated, as quoted by PTI

The Supreme Court has now posted the matter for hearing on December 2. 

(With Inputs From Agencies)