Delhi NCR Air Pollution | Supreme Court Turns Down Request For Urgent Hearing On Monday

The Supreme Court today refused an urgent hearing on the worsening air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR on Monday.  

The counsel appearing in the air pollution matter requested an urgent hearing of the case.

She mentioned the matter before the bench of CJI BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran. Stressing the worsening air pollution crisis in the National Capital, she submitted : 

" The air quality in NCR is deteriorating, as my lords may also be aware. On 3rd November, my lords directed the commission and the CPCB to file an affidavit - there is no date for listing of that, my lords may list it on Monday, it's urgent. We don't really know what's happening, and the city's air is constantly deteriorating." 

The CJI reverted that the matter has been listed for 12th November. 

The Counsel pointed out that as per the tentative list, the case is listed for 14th November. She requested that the matter be listed on 10th November instead. 

The CJI refused the request, pointing out that the bench was scheduled to complete the hearing for the ongoing challenge to the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. 

He, however, hinted at the possibility of hearing the case with the Taj Trapezium Zone issue. 

The CJI said: We will keep it along the Taj Trapezium 

Notably, on the last hearing, the Court was informed that various news reports have emerged flagging the non-functioning of air monitoring stations across the National Capital.

Considering the same, the Court had directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit stating the steps taken to prevent the pollution from worsening further.

On October 14, the Court temporarily relaxed the absolute ban on the use of firecrackers in the National Capital Region and allowed the use of green firecrackers for the Diwali festival, subject to certain restrictions.

Case Details : MC Mehta v. Union of India WP (C) 13029/1985