New Delhi, November 10: The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern over the sharp rise in vehicular emissions in Delhi-NCR, stating that the situation requires urgent intervention to tackle the region’s worsening air quality.
The top court has directed the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, along with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi and Delhi Police, to submit detailed reports outlining the measures taken and proposed to control pollution caused by vehicles.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana sought details of steps being taken to prevent over-age, end-of-life and non-compliant vehicles from entering and operating across the National Capital Region.
The authorities have also been asked to explain the existing regulatory framework for monitoring commercial and private vehicles, particularly those entering Delhi-NCR from neighbouring states.
The directions were issued on November 6 while the court was hearing a suo motu case concerning air pollution in the National Capital Region.
The bench observed that although incidents of stubble burning had declined considerably across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, vehicle-related pollution had witnessed a sharp increase.
The court noted that Delhi-NCR faces a combined burden of vehicular traffic originating not only within the capital but also from neighbouring states due to the region’s geographical and economic connectivity.
It pointed out that the movement of large numbers of commercial and non-commercial vehicles from different parts of the region was adding significantly to the existing pollution levels.
The bench said the growing contribution of vehicular emissions could not be ignored and required immediate corrective measures.
The court has specifically sought details of enforcement actions against vehicles violating prescribed emission standards, including the number of vehicles inspected, challaned, denied entry or subjected to other legal action.
It also asked the authorities to explain the mechanisms in place for coordination between Delhi and neighbouring states to regulate interstate vehicular movement and ensure compliance with pollution norms.
The states and concerned agencies have been directed to identify additional measures to strengthen enforcement, along with a time-bound roadmap for their implementation.
They have also been asked to submit their responses within two weeks, detailing the steps already taken, their views on recommendations made by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the amicus curiae, and further measures they propose to introduce.
The Supreme Court directed its registry to list the suo motu case concerning vehicular emissions and pollution in Delhi-NCR for further hearing on November 23.
Other pollution-related matters will be heard separately, with cases concerning solid waste management, crop residue and firecracker burning scheduled for November 25, pollution from construction activities, power plants and industries on November 26, and conservation and enhancement of green cover on November 30.
During an earlier hearing on November 6, the bench had raised concerns over recurring pollution and heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic across Delhi-NCR, highlighting the large number of vehicles travelling between Delhi and neighbouring areas such as Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad.
During the proceedings, the Centre informed the court that restrictions on the entry of vehicles below BS-VI emission standards were being implemented. It also informed the bench about linking Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates with the locations where vehicle inspections were conducted.
