Supreme Court Admits Limitations in Solving Delhi-NCR Air Pollution Crisis

The Supreme Court on Thursday acknowledged its limitations in addressing the Delhi-NCR pollution crisis, stating it has "no magic wand" to solve the persistent problem. The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymala Bagchi, was responding to a request for an urgent hearing by Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, the court-appointed counsel in the air pollution matter.

The justices emphasized the need to identify all contributing factors to the deteriorating air quality. "We are also residents of Delhi-NCR; we also face this hazard, but we must acknowledge that there is no one reason for this problem," the bench observed.

"What magic wand can a judicial forum exercise? I know this is hazardous for Delhi NCR... Tell me what we can direct so that we can make some directions and there is clean air immediately," the Court added.

These comments followed Senior Advocate Singh's characterization of Delhi-NCR's annual pollution problem as a health emergency. She informed the Supreme Court that while solutions exist on paper, effective implementation on the ground remains lacking.

The bench also highlighted the cyclical pattern of attention to pollution issues, noting that severe pollution concerns surface only during peak winter months. "This matter is listed in a ceremonial way during the Diwali season. After winters, it disappears. Let us have regular monitoring," CJI Kant stated, promising that the top court would now address the matter "on a continuous basis."

The Court scheduled the next hearing for Monday, December 1, saying, "Let us see what we can do."