Supreme Court Slams Authorities on Pollution Control, Demands Action Taken Report

In a strong directive aimed at curbing pollution, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Delhi government, municipal corporations, and agencies of NCR states to submit a detailed Action Taken Report on long-term measures implemented to reduce pollution. The court emphasized that full compliance with the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) must be reported without delay.

Court Issues Firm Directives

During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing CAQM, informed the bench that the commission has proposed multiple long-term measures. These include the phased removal of old vehicles, strengthening the Pollution Under Control (PUC) system, expanding metro and rail networks, introducing a new electric vehicle policy, and incentivizing vehicle scrapping. Court advisor Aparajita Singh urged the court to set clear timelines for the implementation of these recommendations.

The bench, led by Chief Justice Suryakant, instructed that agencies capable of ensuring effective implementation be identified and empowered to utilize environmental compensation funds for this purpose.

No Exceptions Allowed for CAQM Recommendations

The Supreme Court made it clear that no objections would be entertained against CAQM’s recommendations. While additional measures may be required alongside CAQM’s 15 long-term proposals, the court stressed that their timely implementation is mandatory.

Advanced Technology at Entry Points Under Scrutiny

The court also noted CAQM’s recommendations for deploying advanced technology at NCR entry points to manage congestion and pollution effectively. Municipal authorities have been asked to justify any delays in adopting these measures. Furthermore, the court directed CAQM and the Delhi government to submit a new plan for utilizing the Environmental Compensation Corpus (ECC) fund, with a detailed response due within four weeks.

The Supreme Court’s stern approach underscores the urgent need for decisive action to address Delhi-NCR’s persistent pollution crisis and hold authorities accountable for long-term solutions.