The Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the urgent need for effective measures to combat Delhi pollution. The air quality index remains under the poor category straight, causing serious health hazards. For this reason, the implementation of these directives will be closely monitored as the city grapples with the on-going environmental crisis.
The air quality in Delhi continues to plummet. Thus to curb the arising smog and pollution, the Supreme Court has taken a firm stand against the pollution crisis affecting the capital. In a recent hearing, the Court reprimanded both the Delhi government and the police. Furthermore the court has asked for mandating immediate action to address the dire situation. The court has also directed them to immediately set up checkpoints at all 113 entry points to Delhi in order to restrict the entry of certain vehicles.
Read More: Toxic Air, Rising Health Risks: Every Delhi-NCR Family Affected by Pollution, Survey Reports
In a decisive move, the Supreme Court ordered the establishment of checkpoints at all 113 entry points into Delhi. The court has given specific focus on 13 major entry points for enhanced monitoring. Personnel stationed at these checkpoints must be well-versed in essential items approved under the essential commodities list. Moreover this directive comes as the Court expressed frustration over the government’s failure to enforce compliance with the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Phase IV. The Supreme Court gave the order saying that despite the orders passed by the Supreme Court and the CAQM. Furthermore the Delhi government and police have failed to comply with the sections under GRAP Phase IV.
To ensure accountability, the Court directed that CCTV footage from these checkpoints be shared with the appointed amicus curiae, enabling an independent assessment of compliance. Additionally, a team of 13 lawyers from the bar association will conduct visits to various entry points to monitor adherence to pollution control measures.
Read More: Delhi’s Air Quality Index Declines: Residents Plead For Relief Amid Toxic Smog Crisis
As the Supreme Court issued on its directives. The air quality in Delhi-NCR was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 371 reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This report came out on Friday morning. A thin layer of smog loomed over the region. Furthermore as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average air quality index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 371 as of 7.15 am.
Whereas In other NCR cities, the AQI index was not less either. Moreover 263 in Faridabad, 281 in Gurugram, 274 in Ghaziabad, 234 in Greater Noida and 272 in Noida are some of the AQI index.
In response to the escalating pollution levels, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) has initiated night-time cleaning and road-sweeping operations across various locations to enhance air quality. Although Delhi’s air quality had recently unstable on the brink of the ‘severe plus’ category. These proactive measures have contributed to a slight improvement; bringing overall levels back to the ‘very poor’ range.
