New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday highlighted the complexities of tackling the persistent air pollution in Delhi-NCR, stating that the court has no “magic wand” to immediately resolve the crisis. The remarks came during a hearing on a request for urgent action by Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, the court-appointed lawyer addressing the Delhi air pollution matter.
Bench Acknowledges Widespread Hazard
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi observed that multiple factors contribute to the deteriorating air quality. “We are also residents of Delhi-NCR; we also face this hazard, but we must acknowledge that there is no one reason for this problem,” the bench said.
The judges questioned what concrete measures a judicial forum could realistically implement to ensure immediate improvement in air quality. “What magic wand can a judicial forum exercise? I know this is hazardous for Delhi NCR… Tell me what we can direct so that we can make some directions and there is clean air immediately,” the bench added.
Advocates Highlight Urgency
Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh emphasized the public health emergency posed by the annual pollution problem in the region. She highlighted that while solutions exist on paper, implementation on the ground has been insufficient. “There are solutions outlined in reports and recommendations, but nothing seems to be happening on the ground,” Singh told the court.
Need for Continuous Monitoring
The bench also noted a recurring pattern: severe pollution levels peak during winter months and then temporarily fade, only to return the following year. CJI Surya Kant flagged the ceremonial approach of addressing the issue during Diwali season but not maintaining regular oversight afterward. “This matter is listed in a ceremonial way during the Diwali season. After winters, it disappears. Let us have regular monitoring,” he said.
Assuring a proactive approach, the top court stated that it would now take up the Delhi air pollution matter “on a continuous basis,” signaling sustained judicial attention toward the region’s environmental crisis.
Growing Concerns Over Delhi Air Quality
The remarks from the Supreme Court reflect the growing frustration over Delhi-NCR’s worsening air quality and the recurring public health risks associated with extreme pollution. Experts have repeatedly pointed to multiple contributing factors, including vehicular emissions, crop burning in neighboring states, industrial pollution, and urban congestion, making a one-time judicial solution difficult.
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