Delhi Chokes Every Year & We Do Nothing: SC Slams Govt & Odd-Even

The apex court also spoke about crop burning in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh.

Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Supreme Court on Monday, 4 November, slammed authorities for failing to prevent the current air pollution crisis, and even questioned the Odd-Even Scheme that has kicked off in Delhi-NCR.

“People are losing precious years of their lives due to pollution,” the Supreme Court said.

A bench of justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta asked the Centre to call environmental experts, including from IIT, to the court within 30 minutes.

“Everybody is interested in gimmicks and elections,” said Justice Mishra said after the judges were given ample reasons for air pollution levels that have led authorities to shut down schools in Delhi and adjoining suburbs.

The court said that it will not tolerate this and will fix liability on the state governments.

“Delhi is choking every year and we are not able to do anything. Question is that every year this is happening,” the bench said, adding that this is ‘not how a civilised country functions’.

‘What Will Odd-Even Achieve?’

Justice Arun Mishra said, “Cars create less pollution. What is Delhi getting from this Odd-Even scheme? What is the logic behind it?”

The third Odd-Even car rationing scheme by the AAP government kicked off on 4 November, as a blanket of thick smog engulfed the national capital.

In light of this, the apex court asked the Delhi government to produce data and records to prove that the scheme has in fact reduced pollution in Delhi, even as autos/taxis continue to ply the roads.

“High powered committee of states to meet today and the report to be submitted on 6 November,” the top court stated.

Supreme Court has also ordered that no power cuts should take place in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to ensure that no diesel generators are used.

The Fuss Over Stubble Burning Every Year

The Supreme Court also took serious note of crop burning in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, saying that it cannot go unabated every year.

“Why there should be unabated crop burning every year? Every year there is a hue and cry. The states are aware of this, but still they are not tackling this issue,” said the bench.

Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, assisting the apex court as an amicus curiae in the air pollution matter, told the bench that as per the Centre's affidavit, crop burning has gone up by 7 percent in Punjab and down by 17 percent in Haryana.

The top court has summoned the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to appear before it regarding the issue.

“It is too much. No one is safe even inside their house. It is atrocious,” said the bench.

The bench emphasised the fact that various state governments and civic bodies have failed to discharge their duties.

“You are asking people to die. Your states (Punjab and Haryana) are also badly affected. Is this the administration left in Punjab and Haryana? Every year this is happening. We will fasten the liability of states and panchayats also,” said the bench.

On Construction, Industries

Justice Mishra asked about the number of industries in Delhi. On being informed that 5,000 permitted industries exist, while the rest are illegal, he said that the permitted industries aggravate the pollution.

He suggested putting a halt to coal-based industries, adding that the industries will be penalised if the order is not followed, according to Live Law.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court has directed that persons found violating the ban on construction and demolition in Delhi-NCR region will be fined with Rs 1 lakh and with Rs 5,000 for burning garbage.

“Court also directs municipal bodies to prevent open dumping of garbage,” added the bench.

The air pollution issue will now be heard in the top court on Wednesday, 6 November.

Pollution levels in the national capital dropped marginally on Monday morning due to a slight increase in wind speed, but the air quality remains in the 'severe' category.

(With inputs from ANI, PTI, Live Law)