Delhi’s air quality index remained in the ‘very poor’ category today.
New Delhi:
The air quality crisis in Delhi demands a scientific study, and “ad hoc measures” will not help, the Supreme Court said today. “Even if the pollution level goes down now, we will continue to hear and direct the matter,” the court said, issuing a stern warning. On the issue of farm fires, the court clarified that it “cannot manage” and the government should decide on the fine.
Three weeks later, Delhi and its surrounding cities are still wrapped in toxic air. The court said, “This is the national capital. Look at the signal we are sending to the world. You have to estimate the situation on the basis of the data… and act on it so that the situation does not turn dire.”
“There are supercomputers now… a statistical model is needed,” Sarkar was told.
The AQI (Air Quality Index) of the city remained in the ‘very poor’ category this morning. Earlier this month the air quality had deteriorated following widespread violations of the ban on firecrackers.
The acceptable AQI levels for the national capital should be defined, the court said today.
In the last hearing, the apex court had highlighted how this has become an annual problem.
The Air Quality Commission should conduct a scientific study based on wind direction, it added this morning. “These ad-hoc measures will not help. What steps will you take and what is the impact we want in the next seven days?”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the central government, replied, “I have listed immediate steps. There are long-term plans as well. We have come up with graded measures.”
Advocate Vikas Singh, representing the petitioner, said, “The issue of stubble burning needs attention. If the farmers are compensated, the farm fire can be controlled.”
In response, the court said: “Has there been any study on how much stubble has been removed in Punjab, Haryana and UP? It is going to be a big problem. How will you deal with the issue of stubble burning? We will deal with this issue.” But using our common sense to discuss. What is the bureaucracy doing? Let the secretaries decide something… Why can’t they go to the fields and talk to the farmers, scientists and come up with a permanent solution?”
This is the third week in a row that the air pollution issue was heard in the apex court, which has slammed the Center and states for dragging its feet on the issue.
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