Delhi Air Pollution Not Reduced Despite Odd-Even; No Effective Steps Taken By Haryana, Punjab, UP & Delhi : SC

The Supreme Court on Friday came down heavily on the governments of Haryana, Punjab, UP and Delhi noting that they have failed to take effective steps to control pollution in accordance with the earlier orders passed by it.

The bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta has summoned the Chief Secretaries of these governments on November 25. The Court had earlier summoned them on November 6.

The Delhi Pollution Control Board has been asked to randomly check 3 wheelers that are running on polluting fuels and submit report in 7 days. DDA, PWD and other civic bodies are to co-operate with monitoring committee to ensure implementation of court orders

The bench also observed that odd-even scheme of the Delhi government has not offered solutions for the problem. Air pollution has reached alarming levels despite odd-even scheme.

"Odd even is not a long term solution for the problem. Public transport services should be made better. But there hasn't been much work towards it", the bench observed.

The scheme affects only the middle and lower class sections. Affluent classes have many cars, remarked Justice Mishra.

Central Pollution Control Board informed the court that cars only contribute 3% to pollution.  The Board added that effects of stubble burning have not completely faded away, despite it being stopped.

SC : Odd even is not a long term solution for the problem. Public transport services should be made better. But there hasn't been much work towards it#DelhiAirPollution

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) November 15, 2019

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the GNCT of Delhi, submitted that odd-even scheme has helped to reduce pollution by 5-12%.

"Should we not implement something even if it has minimal effect", asked Rohatgi.

Taking note of the deterioration of air quality in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court had passed a slew of directions on November 4 and 6. To stop the practice of stubble burning by farmers in the neighbouring states, the Court directed the governments of Haryana, Punjab, UP and Delhi to grant financial assistance of Rs 100 per quintal within seven days to small and marginal farmers for handling crop residue of non-basmati rice to ensure that they do not burn stubble to clean their fields.

The Court also banned construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR.