On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to urgently list an application seeking phased implementation of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Air Quality Guidelines to address the escalating pollution levels across Delhi-NCR.
The request was mentioned before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, along with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria. The counsel appearing in the matter sought an urgent hearing, citing the deteriorating air quality in the national capital and the need for “immediate adoption and gradual enforcement of WHO standards” within the ongoing Delhi air pollution proceedings.
When the Bench inquired about the applicant, the counsel informed that the plea had been moved by an advocate specializing in environmental law. Responding, CJI Gavai observed, “There are already several lawyers with environmental law expertise before us in this matter.”
Despite the counsel’s insistence that the plea be taken up on the following day, when the Court is scheduled to hear the MC Mehta case relating to Delhi’s air quality, the Chief Justice declined, remarking, “Not necessary.”
The Bench is slated to hear the broader batch of environmental matters concerning air pollution in Delhi-NCR on November 12, as part of the long-standing litigation initiated by environmentalist M.C. Mehta.
Earlier hearings in the matter saw the Court taking note of media reports highlighting the non-functioning of several air quality monitoring stations in the region. Consequently, the Court had directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to submit an affidavit outlining the measures being undertaken to prevent further environmental degradation.
In a related development, on October 14, the Apex Court had partially lifted the blanket ban on firecrackers in the National Capital Region, permitting the use of green firecrackers during Diwali celebrations, subject to stringent conditions.
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