New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Monday said it will hear on December 17 a petition related to worsening air pollution levels in NCR. A bench of CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pamcholi considered the arguments of senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who is assisting the court as amicus curiae. Singh said that although preventive measures are in place, the main issue is poor implementation of the measures by the authorities.
He said that unless this court gives any direction, the officers do not follow the already existing protocol. On this the CJI said that the matter will come before a bench of three judges on Wednesday. There will be a hearing on this. Another lawyer, citing the application related to the health issue of children, said that despite earlier orders, schools were organizing outdoor sports activities. The amicus curiae also said that despite the order of this court, schools have found ways to organize these sports activities…these activities are taking place.
The CJI said that we are aware of the problem and we will pass such orders which can be followed. There are some instructions which can be enforced by force. People have their own lifestyle in these urban metropolises. But what will happen to the poor…. The amicus curiae said that poor laborers are suffering the most. Earlier, the bench had said that a petition filed against air pollution cannot be considered a “normal” case, which can be listed only in the winter months. She had said that the matter would be heard twice a month to find short-term and long-term solutions to this problem.
Let us tell you that on Monday, Delhi remained wrapped in a blanket of dense smog, due to which the AQI reached 498, which falls in the ‘severe’ category. The air quality was ‘severe’ at 38 centres, while it was ‘very poor’ at two centres. Jahangirpuri recorded an AQI of 498, the worst air quality among all 40 centres.