The Delhi High Court is set to examine a significant plea on Wednesday, demanding immediate and effective actions to control the dangerously high levels of air pollution in the national capital. This legal intervention highlights the growing public health crisis triggered by the city's toxic air.
Court Directs PIL to Appropriate Bench
During a hearing on Tuesday, Justice Sachin Datta observed that the nature of the relief sought fell squarely within the realm of public interest litigation (PIL). Noting that the requested directions were "overarching" in scope, Justice Datta transferred the matter to the division bench that handles PIL cases. The case is now scheduled to be listed before the chief justice on Wednesday for further proceedings.
Petition Highlights Grave Health and Administrative Failures
The plea, filed by the Greater Kailash-II Welfare Association through advocate Udian Sharma, paints a grim picture of Delhi's deteriorating air quality. It states that over the years, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently plummeted to "very poor," "severe," and "hazardous" categories, with the situation becoming particularly dire during the winter months.
The petition underscores that this worsening pollution is not just an environmental statistic but a serious public health emergency. It claims the toxic air is responsible for causing persistent and severe health problems, especially among vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
In a strong indictment of the authorities, the PIL alleges that they remained "virtually inactive" as the air quality worsened. It points out that stringent measures, like the "Stage III" restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), were enforced only after pollution crossed a critical threshold, suggesting a reactive rather than a proactive approach.
Who Are the Respondents?
The petition has named several key authorities as respondents, holding them accountable for the crisis. These include:
- The Delhi Government
- Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)
- Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
- Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
- Delhi Police
The plea seeks the court's intervention to direct these bodies to implement both immediate and long-term scientific measures to tackle the pollution menace effectively. The outcome of Wednesday's hearing could be a crucial step in mandating more robust and timely action to safeguard the health of Delhi's residents.
