Delhi Pollution : After Supreme Court's Critical Remarks, Air Quality Commission Constitutes Task Force To Enforce Directions

After strong observations made by Supreme Court yesterday at the pollution levels not coming down despite the decisions taken by the authorities, Commission of Air Quality Management in National Capital Region has informed Supreme Court that an 'Enforcement Task Force' and 17 Flying Squads have been constituted to enforce the directions by taking coercive action against defaulting entities.

The submissions have been made through an affidavit filed before the Supreme Court in a matter seeking emergency steps to control the worsening air quality situation in the national capital.

The affidavit filed by the Director of the Commission on behalf of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change has submitted that the number of flying squads will be increased to 40 in the next 24 hours and will report directly to the 5- member Enforcement Task Force.

The Commission has submitted that the Flying Squads have already started functioning from 2nd December and have conducted surprise checks at 25 sites

The Top Court has further been informed that the Commission for Air Quality Management has directed that for allowing the operation of industrial units for only 8 hours on week days and for closure on weekends if they are not  running on PNG or cleaner fuels.

The affidavit has stated that operation of thermal power plants within 300 kms of radius of Delhi will continue to be regulated and only 5 out of 11 thermal power plants have been permitted to schedule their operations with rest being directed to be inoperative till at least 15th December.

Centre has also informed the top Court that all schools and colleges in Delhi NCR will remain closed till further orders and only online mode of application will continue except for conducting exams and laboratory practicals

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant had yesterday expressed deep anguish at the pollution levels not coming down despite the claims made by the Centre, Delhi Government and the adjoining NCR states of having taken several measures.

The Court had asked what the Commission for Air Quality Management was doing and expressed disappointment at the fact that even the sources of the pollution have not been identified properly.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had requested for one more day time to address the situation with additional measures and had assured the bench that there is no need for the Court to constitute a task force as the authorities were keenly monitoring the implementation. 

The Bench had then granted 24 hours to the Government to take serious measures failing which the Court would be constituting a "task force".

The Court will consider the matter today.

Case Title: Aditya Dubey (Minor) & Anr vs Union of India & Ors