New Delhi (Rajeev Sharma): The Supreme Court has decided to once again turn its attention to the persistent air pollution crisis in the Delhi–NCR region, listing a key plea for hearing on December 3. The court said on Thursday that the issue cannot be handled through one-time intervention and needs continuous, expert-based monitoring.
The matter was mentioned before a Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi by senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who assists the court as amicus curiae. Singh informed the Bench that the spike in pollution levels has reached a worrying threshold, describing the situation as “a health emergency for residents of the region.”
Responding to the concerns, the Chief Justice noted the inherent limitations of the judiciary in tackling a complex environmental problem. “A judicial body cannot wield a magic wand to clean the air overnight,” he remarked, stressing that pollution stems from numerous sources and not a single identifiable cause. He added that only trained scientists and domain specialists can pinpoint the full range of factors and develop long-term solutions.
The proceedings follow the court’s November 19 observation directing the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to examine whether schools should defer outdoor sports scheduled in November and December due to the toxic smog. The Bench had also reiterated that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) — designed for emergency situations — cannot be enforced endlessly as a year-round framework, and that sustainable measures were urgently required.
After the amicus sought an expedited listing, the Chief Justice agreed to take up the matter on Monday, signaling the court’s ongoing engagement with the capital’s recurring pollution woes.
