CJI Ramana suggests 2-day lockdown in Delhi on impending pollution crisis

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• Nov 13, 2021 | moderator

New Delhi: With rising concerns on the worsening air quality of Delhi, the Supreme Court pulled up the Centre and state governments while hearing a plea concerning air pollution in the national capital on Saturday.

The court suggested imposing a two-day lockdown in the city amid worsening air quality.

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17-year-old Delhi Student Aditya Dubey filed a plea in the Supreme Court concerning rising levels of air pollution in the city. A special bench of CJI NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud, and Justice Suryakant heard the petition on Saturday.

Talking about the worsening air quality in Delhi, CJI Ramana said, “We have seen how bad the situation is. We are wearing masks even inside our homes.”

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued, “Everyone is fighting their own battle- state, Centre, agencies. We have filed short summary of steps taken by everyone.”

On the problem of stubble burning, Tushar Mehta claimed that five steps have been taken.

“Two lakh machines [have been made] available for decomposing the stubble for in situ crop stubble management. There are avenues that the statutory commission has opened for using up the stubble in biomass plants etc. There is complete prohibition on burning,” Tushar Mehta said.

Tushar Mehta targeted Punjab government sand said, “There's a spurt from Punjab in the last few days. State of Punjab needs to buckle up and do something.”

To this, CJI Ramana said, “You're projecting as if farmers alone are responsible. But that is 40 per cent. Where are the steps to ensure Delhi people are controlled? What about firecrackers? Vehicle pollution?”

The court asked about the immediate measures taken to control air pollution in Delhi and suggested imposing a two-day lockdown in the city.