Supreme Court Addresses Worsening Delhi Air Quality as Stubble Burning Intensifies in Punjab and Haryana

Delhi recorded its first severe air quality day today.

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday that stubble burning has begun extensively in Punjab and Haryana with impunity, further deteriorating air quality levels in Delhi-NCR.

Senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who serves as amicus curiae, urged a bench headed by Chief Justice B R Gavai to seek responses from the Punjab and Haryana governments. The bench is scheduled to hear the air pollution case on Wednesday.

Referring to NASA satellite imagery, Singh demonstrated that stubble burning in these two states has commenced and is contributing to Delhi-NCR's already severe pollution levels.

"Supreme Court orders are being blatantly violated," she stated, requesting these states to address the current situation.

"We will issue appropriate orders on Wednesday," responded the Chief Justice.

Previously on November 3, the top court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to submit an affidavit detailing measures taken to prevent air pollution from escalating further in Delhi-NCR.

The bench, which includes Justice K Vinod Chandran, was hearing the M C Mehta case and emphasized that authorities must act proactively rather than waiting for pollution to reach "severe" levels.

Amicus curiae Singh highlighted media reports indicating that numerous air quality monitoring stations in Delhi were non-operational during Diwali.

"Multiple news outlets report non-functional monitoring stations. If these stations aren't operating, we cannot determine when to implement GRAP (graded response action plan). Only nine out of 37 monitoring stations were continuously functional on Diwali," she noted.

She urged the bench to ensure CAQM provides clear data and a concrete action plan, emphasizing that previous orders mandated preventive measures rather than reactive steps after pollution worsened.

"The CAQM is required to file an affidavit outlining proposed measures to prevent pollution from becoming severe," stated the bench in its order.

While CAQM counsel indicated that the Central Pollution Control Board is responsible for monitoring data, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati assured the court that relevant agencies would submit the required report.

On October 15, the CJI-led bench allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali with specific conditions, attempting to balance traditional practices with environmental and health concerns.

The court specified that green crackers could only be used during designated hours on Diwali and the preceding day. Sales were permitted from October 18 to 20.

The bench clarified this relaxation was only a "test case" for the specified period.

Importantly, the court directed: "The Central Pollution Control Board, in consultation with State Pollution Control Boards and their regional offices within NCR districts, shall monitor air quality index in their respective jurisdictions from October 14 to October 25 and file a report specifying daily air quality measurements.

"Additionally, Regional Offices of State Pollution Control Boards shall collect sand and water samples from high-density usage areas for analysis."