Supreme Court Steps In: Hearing on Delhi’s toxic air crisis fast-tracked to this weekend
After a seven-year-old girl’s plea to the apex court, justices announce weekend hearing to consider expanding the ambit of solutions to reduce air pollution in the national capital
As the national capital continues to choke, the Supreme Court is set to hear a plea on the worsening air quality in Delhi this weekend.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde will hear the matter on Saturday, following a letter from a seven-year-old girl, Adya Tiwari, who asked the court to intervene to ensure clean air for children in the city.
In her letter, Tiwari said that she was unable to play outside due to the poor air quality and expressed concern about the health of her and other children in the city.
The court had initially listed the matter for hearing on November 23, but advanced the hearing after taking note of the worsening air quality in Delhi.
The court is likely to consider expanding the ambit of solutions to reduce air pollution in the city, including measures to control vehicular emissions, construction activities, and industrial pollution.
The court may also consider directing the government to provide immediate relief to residents, such as distributing masks and air purifiers, and setting up shelters for those affected by the pollution.
The air quality in Delhi has been deteriorating in recent weeks, with the city consistently recording levels of PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants that are several times higher than the safe limits.
The smog has caused a number of health problems, including respiratory illnesses and eye irritation. It has also forced schools to close and led to the cancellation of flights and sporting events.
The government has taken a number of steps to address the air pollution, including banning the burning of biomass, restricting construction activities, and implementing a graded response action plan.
However, these measures have not been sufficient to bring the air quality within safe limits.
The Supreme Court’s intervention is expected to put pressure on the government to take more aggressive action to reduce air pollution in Delhi.
In addition to the measures mentioned above, the court may also consider directing the government to:
- Provide financial assistance to residents who purchase air purifiers or other pollution-control devices
- Set up air quality monitoring stations in all parts of the city
- Develop a long-term plan to reduce air pollution in Delhi
The Supreme Court’s hearing on Saturday is likely to be a watershed moment in the fight against air pollution in Delhi.
The court’s decision could have a significant impact on the lives of millions of people who live in the city.
