Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Supreme Court Slams 'Temporary Fixes' as Annual Crisis Looms
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The Supreme Court has expressed frustration with the Delhi-NCR region's air pollution measures, calling them a 'total failure' in effectively reducing pollution levels. In a recent hearing, the court emphasized the need for long-term planning to tackle the annual air pollution crisis. The top court noted that temporary measures, such as school shutdowns or hybrid models, are only providing temporary relief to vulnerable groups and are not a sustainable solution. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant observed that the air pollution crisis has become a recurring issue, requiring a comprehensive and phased approach to address the root causes. The court has requested the Central Pollution Control Board (CAQM) to revisit long-term measures and focus on key areas, including urban mobility, industrial emissions, stubble burning, construction activities, household pollution, green cover, citizen awareness, and public transportation. Separately, the Supreme Court has revoked protection for end-of-life (EOL) vehicles with poor emission standards in Delhi-NCR, effective immediately. The decision comes after the CAQM recommended modifying its previous order to extend protection to all EOL vehicles in the region. The court's ruling aims to reduce air pollution in the region by removing vehicles with high emissions from the road.
