Supreme Court shifts focus to vehicle fumes as Delhi air quality turns severe

Court Action

The Supreme Court stated that people, rather than the judiciary, must take action against air pollution in the national capital. A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant pointed out a sharp increase in issues caused by vehicle emissions on November 6. The court noted that Delhi and the National Capital Region bear the cumulative burden of traffic from their own areas as well as from the neighbouring States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Official Responses Sought

The court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Delhi government, the Delhi Police traffic department, and the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to submit responses. Authorities must explain how they regulate the entry and plying of commercial and non-commercial vehicles from outside Delhi. The Bench asked for specific details on steps to monitor vehicles that do not meet emission standards, and measures to stop the entry of overage and non-compliant vehicles. Furthermore, the court requested data on inspections, challans issued, vehicles denied entry, and coordination mechanisms between Delhi and neighbouring states.

Earlier Orders

Two previous Supreme Court orders from January 21 and February 23 outlined recommendations from the Commission for Air Quality Management to reduce pollution. These included phasing out polluting vehicles, improving pollution-check rules, expanding metro and rail transport, and shifting coal-based industries out of the region. However, court-appointed amici curiae reported that compliance with these orders was yet to be properly reported. The court has now scheduled four suo moto cases on air pollution from November 23 to November 30.

Context

Delhi faces severe winter air pollution every year due to a combination of local emissions, regional traffic, and weather patterns that trap pollutants in the landlocked basin. Courts often step in to direct administrative bodies when pollution levels approach critical thresholds. Such judicial reviews aim to enforce existing environmental guidelines and hold local governments accountable for implementation delays.