Supreme Court of India Tackles Delhi Air Pollution Crisis

The Supreme Court of India held a suo motu hearing on Friday to address the severe air pollution crisis affecting Delhi and the National Capital Region. Chief Justice Surya Kant identified vehicular emissions, traffic congestion, and inadequate public transport as primary drivers of the crisis, while also addressing the impact of stubble burning.

Chief Justice Kant proposed that stubble-management machinery be provided to gram panchayats rather than individual farmers to ensure affordability. He further suggested that the government announce procurement prices for crop residue in advance to incentivize farmers. The bench emphasized that legal restrictions alone are insufficient to solve the problem, calling for behavioral changes and a return to traditional, less polluting customs during festivals like Diwali.

During the proceedings, amicus curiae Aparajita Singh testified that transport remains the biggest problem and noted that farmers often lack the fuel necessary to operate equipment. The Government of India defended its current management measures and the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan. These legal discussions occurred as the Central Pollution Control Board reported an overall Air Quality Index of 389 in Delhi, with several areas reaching the severe category and municipal authorities deploying water sprinklers.