The Supreme Court of India delivered a sharp rebuke to the central pollution monitoring body on Tuesday, stating it was "failing in its duty" after the agency sought a two-month adjournment to address the critical issue of pollution caused by traffic congestion at toll plazas on Delhi's borders.
Court's Stern Directive to Pollution Watchdog
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi expressed strong disapproval of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The court was hearing a matter concerning the potential temporary closure or relocation of toll plazas to ease severe traffic snarls, a major contributor to the capital's deteriorating air quality. The bench rejected CAQM's request for an adjournment until March after holding a meeting on January 2, calling the delay unacceptable.
"Heavy vehicles are contributing a large part, so the first question is how do we address that... By holding a meeting on January 2 and telling us that we will come after two months, that is not acceptable to us. The CAQM is failing in its duty," the bench observed during the hearing.
Immediate Action and Long-Term Planning Ordered
The top court issued clear and time-bound directives to the pollution watchdog. It ordered the CAQM to convene a meeting of experts within two weeks to identify the major causes of worsening pollution and submit a detailed report. The judges noted that a wealth of information from experts and the public domain was available and should be utilized urgently.
Furthermore, the bench instructed the commission to begin considering long-term solutions in a phased manner. It specifically emphasized that the issue of toll plazas must be examined objectively, "uninfluenced by the stand taken by various stakeholders." This directive underscores the court's push for evidence-based policy over political or commercial pressures.
The Core of the Pollution Problem
The case highlights the persistent and severe air quality crisis in the National Capital Region (NCR). Traffic congestion, particularly from heavy goods vehicles queuing at multiple toll plazas at Delhi's entry points, is a significant source of particulate matter and emissions. The Supreme Court's intervention reflects the urgency of the situation and the perceived inadequacy of the specialized body created to tackle it.
The court's orders now place the onus squarely on the CAQM to move beyond deliberations and demonstrate concrete, actionable plans. The next two weeks will be crucial for the commission to assemble expert opinions and chart a credible course of action to mitigate this specific source of pollution, under the watchful eye of the highest court in the land.
