New Delhi— The Supreme Court of India is set to hear a pressing plea on Monday aimed at enforcing measures to combat the escalating air pollution crisis in the national capital. As residents of Delhi woke up to hazardous air quality on Sunday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was reported in the "severe" category, prompting urgent action from authorities. On Sunday morning, the AQI reached a staggering 429, according to the 'Sameer App', which provides hourly updates from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The situation worsened with a recorded 24-hour average AQI of 417 by Saturday afternoon, raising alarms about the health risks posed by the toxic air. The Supreme Court's decision to hear the plea comes after it was highlighted that Delhi should not be allowed to reclaim the title of the most polluted city in the world due to rising pollution levels.
The bench, consisting of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih, agreed to expedite the case following a request from senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who has been serving as an amicus curiae in the matter. Singh pointed to the urgent need for the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) to explain the measures being implemented to address the crisis. This follows the court's previous observations regarding the violation of the firecracker ban order it issued for Diwali, during which it emphasized that no religion endorses activities that contribute to pollution. The court instructed the Delhi government to determine within two weeks whether to extend the firecracker ban throughout the year. The Supreme Court has underscored that the right to live in a pollution-free environment is a fundamental right guaranteed to every citizen under Article 21 of the Constitution. As the apex court prepares to tackle this critical issue, residents hope for effective solutions that will improve air quality and safeguard public health in the capital and its surrounding areas.