Delhi pollution very serious, even masks not enough: Supreme Court

On Thursday, the Supreme Court voiced grave concerns about Delhi’s severe pollution levels and requested that senior attorneys attend proceedings electronically since masks were insufficient.

The highest court described the air pollution issue as “very serious” and questioned why senior lawyers had shown up in person when a video conference facility was available.

“Why are you all appearing here? We have a virtual hearing facility. Please avail it. The pollution – this will cause permanent damage,” Justice PS Narsimha said while addressing senior lawyers in a sharp tone.

“Even masks are not enough. It will not suffice. We will discuss with the Chief Justice as well,” he added.

The top court’s scathing remark came as Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Thursday morning, as the city’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day.

Even healthy people are at significant risk from a “severe” AQI, which can have detrimental effects on people who already have heart or pulmonary issues.

Because stubble burning in neighboring states continued to be the main cause of the toxic cloud, the state of air pollution in the capital and other cities remained dire.

Images revealed the capital’s skyline covered in thick pollution, making it difficult to see the roads and buildings.

Bawana had the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 8 am (460), while NSIT Dwarka had the lowest (216), according to statistics from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

A number of important monitoring stations, including Anand Vihar (431), Bawana (460), Chandni Chowk (455), Ashok Vihar (348), North Campus DU (414), Dwarka Sector 8 (400), ITO (438), Mundka (438), Narela (432), and Rohini (447), registered concerning Air Quality Index (AQI) readings at 8 a.m.

As Delhi’s air quality continued to decline, the top court on Wednesday ordered Punjab and Haryana to submit comprehensive data on the measures taken to prevent stubble burning, taking note of the threat posed by agricultural residue burning.

The two states’ attorneys were given a week to compile and present pertinent information. In order to hold these state governments responsible for the ongoing deterioration of the region’s air quality, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai stated that specific proof of enforcement and policy action was required.

The state counsel asked the court to give the issue top priority after Delhi’s AQI fell to the severe category earlier this week for the first time this season.

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai responded by stating that the case would be heard on November 17.