'Hope you are enjoying Delhi weather': CJI quips as pollution levels touch severe category
SC raises concerns over Delhi-NCR's air pollution, highlighting vehicular emissions and stubble burning as key concerns
The Supreme Court on Friday (November 6), during the hearing of a suo motu case, expressed concern over the rising air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and emphasised the requirement for measures to address the issues of vehicular emissions and stubble burning. The case is being heard by the bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
Concern over vehicular pollution
The CJI opened the hearing on a lighter note, saying, "We hope all of you are enjoying Delhi weather,” reported Live Law.
The amicus curiae in the matter, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, pointed out that the pollution levels were in the severe category, adding, "We are losing our voice as well. It's like smoking 30 cigarettes a day!” Times of India quoted the CJI as saying. The CJI said that the pollution levels have gone down due to rainfall in Delhi.
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The bench expressed concern over “bumper-to-bumper” traffic in Delhi-NCR. “We keep talking, sometimes make statements and suggestions, but the point is that AQI is already touching 400,” the CJI said.
The bench highlighted the large number of vehicles plying on roads connecting Delhi with neighbouring areas, including Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad.
“Look at the roads in Delhi and the roads connecting Delhi with the NCR. Take a look at any road and the kind of vehicles moving on them. That is the major problem,” the CJI said.
Stubble burning, transport emissions under scrutiny
As for the issue of stubble burning, Singh informed the bench that it contributed 14 per cent to the pollution but added that Delhi was already polluted before the issue added to the problem.
Singh argued that "Transport is the biggest problem.” She further stated that the focus of local authorities should be both local pollution sources and stubble burning, adding that transport, energy and waste burning were key environmental concerns across the NCR.
Also Read: Centre claims 40 pc drop in stubble burning, but Delhi's air quality remains severe
Responding to the CJI’s observation that since the sowing season has started, stubble burning should have stopped, Singh said that despite being provided with the required equipment, farmers struggled due to fuel prices.
"To farmers, even if you give equipment, they don't have fuel. Price of fuel this year I don't have to highlight. Secondly, it does not work in small farms," said Singh.
CJI calls for panchayat-level access to farm machinery
When Justice Bagchi referred to a proposal by authorities to procure stubble at a fixed rate, the CJI said that the procurement should be announced well in advance and the machinery should be provided to the gram panchayats, as individual farmers could not afford the cost.
"This machine needs to be given to the Gram Panchayat. Individuals cannot afford. This is how the machine can work. Cost of machine itself," stated the CJI.
(With agency inputs)