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New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit detailing the measures taken to prevent Delhi-NCR’s air quality from deteriorating after it was told that several air monitoring stations were reportedly not functioning during Diwali.
A division bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) related to the control of air pollution in the national capital and the surrounding NCR region.
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, amicus curiae in the case, drew the top court’s attention to media reports that only nine of the 37 air quality monitoring systems in Delhi were functioning during Diwali.
“A report needs to come from CAQM on the current air pollution situation. Only 9 out of 37 monitoring systems in Delhi were functioning during Diwali,” Singh told the CJI Gavai-led bench.
The amicus curiae said earlier Supreme Court directions had specifically required authorities to take pre-emptive action rather than waiting for air quality to reach critical levels.
After hearing the plea, the top court directed: “CAQM has to place on record an affidavit stating what steps it proposes to take to prevent the pollution from becoming severe.”
It also sought clarity on the operational status of the air quality monitoring systems, after media reports highlighted widespread malfunctioning of the stations.
CAQM’s counsel informed the bench led by CJI Gavai that a report had already been filed on the previous date of hearing, but it could not be considered due to paucity of time.
However, the amicus suggested that a new affidavit should be submitted, addressing both the malfunction of the monitoring systems and the measures planned in view of the deteriorating air situation.
Appearing for the authorities, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhatti assured the top court that the necessary reports will be filed by the concerned authorities, including the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which maintains the monitoring data.
The development comes just days after the Supreme Court allowed limited sale and use of green crackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali, warning that “commercial considerations and the spirit of celebration should be left behind when it comes to environment and health.”
In its order passed on October 15, the CJI Gavai-led bench had allowed the sale of NEERI-approved firecrackers from October 18 to 20, with the bursting of crackers restricted to specific hours.
The Supreme Court had clarified that the exemption was subject to post-Diwali air quality data, “only on a test case basis”.
To ensure compliance, the top court had laid down an elaborate enforcement mechanism: only licensed traders could sell approved products bearing QR codes issued by NEERI, while district administrations and police were tasked with forming patrolling teams to prevent the sale of banned firecrackers.
It had also ordered the CPCB and state pollution control boards to monitor air, water and soil quality from October 14 to 25 and submit a report before the top court.
–IANS
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