Supreme Court goes beyond Deepavali AQI, flags vehicular emissions polluting Delhi air, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court of India, on November 6, highlighted vehicular emissions as a significant and consistent contributor to air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
• The Court directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), Delhi government, Delhi Police (Traffic), and the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh to report on measures regulating commercial and non-commercial vehicles.
• Authorities must detail steps to identify, monitor, and regulate vehicles not conforming to emission standards, including preventing entry of overage or non-compliant vehicles.
• The Court noted a lack of compliance with its previous orders from January 21 and February 23, which were based on recommendations from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
• Previous CAQM recommendations included phasing out polluting vehicles, strengthening the pollution-under-check regime, augmenting public transport, and shifting coal-based industries out of Delhi-NCR.

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Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court emphasized that Delhi-NCR's geographical and economic interconnectedness means it bears the cumulative burden of vehicular traffic from within and from neighboring states.
• The Court specifically sought information on enforcement actions, such as the number of vehicles inspected, challaned, or denied entry, and inter-state coordination mechanisms.
• Vehicular emissions are a major source of air pollution in Delhi, contributing significantly to PM2.5 and NOx levels.
• The CAQM is a statutory body established in 2020 to coordinate and direct action against air pollution in the NCR and adjoining areas.
• Measures to control vehicular pollution include stricter emission standards like Bharat Stage (BS) norms, vehicle scrapping policies, and promoting electric vehicles.
• Delhi has implemented restrictions on non-Delhi registered vehicles below BS-VI emission norms from November 1 to January 31 annually.
• The Court has listed four suo moto cases related to air pollution, including vehicular emissions, for further hearings.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): A statutory body established in 2020 to coordinate and implement measures for air quality improvement in the National Capital Region and adjoining areas.
• Suo Moto Case: A legal proceeding initiated by a court on its own motion, without any formal petition or application from parties.
• Amici Curiae: Latin for "friend of the court," referring to an impartial advisor, often a lawyer, who assists the court on a matter of law or fact.