Sat 13 November 2021:
With Delhi and nearby cities blanketed in smog for over a week now, the Supreme Court today told the central government to prioritise an emergency plan over long-term measures as Chief Justice NV Ramana said, “You see how bad the situation is….even in our houses, we are wearing masks.”
Asking the centre and states to submit their response by Monday, the Chief Justice said: “You tell us how do you plan to take the emergency measures? Two-day lockdown? What is your plan on lowering the AQI (Air Quality Index) levels?”.
“We have been forced to wear masks at home also, the situation is very serious,” the top legal officer in the Supreme Court of India N. V. Ramana said while seeking clarity on the measures initiated by the government so far.
“Delhi air quality will become severe and increase in surface wind may help .. another two to three days it will increase further. Take an emergency decision,” he said.
Breathing the Delhi air is “like smoking 20 cigarattes a day,” the state government admitted in the court, stressing, “We agree to the gravity of the situation.” As the national capital saw the season’s worst air quality on Friday, the central pollution watchdog advised people to stay indoors.
In a sharp rebuke to the Delhi government, the court further said: “You opened all schools two weeks back.. All kids are exposing their lungs to this hazardous air.”
The air quality in Delhi and nearby cities worsened last week after the ban on crackers was widely violated on Diwali. Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is also believed to be a key contributor.
Delhi, often ranked the world’s most polluted capital, faces extremely bad air in winter due to crop stubble burning, emissions from transport, coal-fired plants outside the city and other industrial emissions, as well as open garbage burning and dust.
While the smog reduced visibility, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in and around capital city hit 470 to 490 on a scale of 500, according to the federal pollution control board data on Saturday.
This level of pollution means the air will affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases.
Chief Justice NV Ramana said, the government should consider a two-day lockdown to protect citizens from the rising toxicity and inform the court on Monday about the emergency steps taken to improve air quality.
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