The Supreme Court has issued an urgent directive to the government of Delhi, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi Police traffic department, and the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, seeking an explanation regarding the control of vehicular pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana underscored the need for immediate intervention as vehicular emissions continue to emerge as a critical contributor to the region's deteriorating air quality.
The court's intervention comes at a time when data indicates a shifting pattern in the sources of local air pollution. While reports submitted to the bench highlighted a substantial decline in instances of stubble burning across the northern states between October 21 and November 3, there has been a simultaneously sharp increase in pollution levels directly attributable to vehicular traffic. This trend has placed renewed pressure on authorities to manage the density and environmental impact of automobiles within the capital and its surrounding districts.
Under the court's order, the specified authorities must submit detailed responses regarding the current regulatory framework governing both commercial and non-commercial vehicles. The bench has specifically requested clarity on the mechanisms utilized to identify and regulate vehicles that fail to meet prescribed emission standards. Furthermore, the court is seeking information on the enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certification requirements and the specific steps being taken to prevent the entry and continued operation of end-of-life and non-compliant vehicles on public roads.
As part of the accountability measures, the Supreme Court has demanded concrete data regarding the enforcement activities undertaken by these agencies. Authorities are required to provide figures on the number of vehicles that have been inspected, penalized, or denied entry for failing to adhere to emission norms. The court has also sought details regarding the level of inter-state coordination between Delhi and its neighbouring states to effectively monitor and regulate the cross-border movement of vehicles, which is often cited as a significant logistical challenge in managing urban air quality.
In its recent assessment, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had previously informed the court that vehicular emissions are currently the single-largest source of pollution within the NCR, accounting for roughly 23% of total pollution during the winter months and 19% during the summer. This assessment formed the basis of the latest judicial inquiry, which was further supported by findings presented by amicus curiae and senior advocate Aparajita Singh, alongside additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati.
Beyond immediate enforcement statistics, the Supreme Court has asked the authorities to outline a comprehensive roadmap for the future. This includes the formulation of both short-term and long-term strategies to curb emissions from the transport sector, with a requirement for these measures to be presented with clear, time-bound objectives. The focus remains on strengthening enforcement protocols to ensure that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is implemented effectively to mitigate the public health risks associated with the high concentration of pollutants in the national capital region.
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