Ludicrous That Smog Towers Aren't Working: Supreme Court Summons Chairperson Of Delhi Pollution Control Committee

The Supreme Court on Tuesday (November 7) summoned the Chairperson of Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) on next date of its hearing in air pollution matter (November 10).

During the hearing, Senior Advocate Aparajitha Singh (Amicus), pointed out the aspect of smog towers being non-functional. Following the same, the Bench marked in its order:

“It is stated that the smog tower which has been instituted in pursuance to the directions issued earlier albeit on experimental basis, is not working. On our query, the answer is some disciplinary action is proposed against an officer, who is Chairman of DPCC. This is ludicrous. We want the tower to be working. As to against which officer what they do is their business.”

An intervention application was filed in the MC Mehta v. Union of India matter seeking the following prayers :

“a) Direct the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to immediately release data from the study on “Real Time Source Apportionment and Forecasting for Advance Air Pollution Management in Delhi, commissioned by it,

b) Direct the Delhi Pollution control Committee to publish real time source apportionment data for the sources of air pollution in Delhi on an ongoing basis, at least for this Winter Season of 2023-2024.

c) Direct the Government of NCT of Delhi as well as the Delhi Pollution Control Committee to re-open and operationalize the Smog Tower installed at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi.”

Allowing the aforesaid prayers, the Court directed the Chairperson of DPCC to remain personally present in Court on Friday.

During the hearing, Singh, with respect to smog towers, submitted:

“May I also point out that as per a direction of the Supreme Court a smog tower was set up, at the expense to 20 crores to exchequer in CP. Now, I have read newspapers reports that it is not functioning…. Let the Delhi Govt. ensure that the smog tower starts functioning.”

 Also from the hearing - Delhi Air Pollution : Stop Stubble Burning Forthwith, Supreme Court Directs Punjab, Haryana, UP & Rajasthan

Supreme Court Questions Effectiveness Of Delhi's 'Odd-Even' Scheme In Controlling Pollution

Click here to read the order