SC Asks Delhi Govt To Furnish Details About Efficacy In Measuring AQI
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Delhi government to file an affidavit detailing the nature of the equipment and its efficiency in measuring the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital.
A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justices Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria ordered, “Let GNCTD file an affidavit explaining the nature of equipment being used and their efficiency to gauge AQI monitors. Please bring it the day after tomorrow.”
Senior advocate and amicus curiae Aparajita Singh, who was assisting the bench on the issue, said that water sprinkling took place around pollution monitoring stations to skew the AQI readings in Delhi.
She placed on record news reports about water sprinkling around pollution monitoring stations.
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Central government, stated that sprinkling of water is occurring across the city.
“Political parties are spreading such videos,” she said.
Amicus further told the bench that instances of stubble burning were being undercounted.
Giving a solution to the issue, she said that farmers should be given equipment for disposing it the stubble.
The apex court also asked the Centre to devise a long-term solution to address the issue of air pollution.
It directed the Chief Secretary of Punjab and Haryana to ensure that the directions to curb stubble burning issued by the CAQM in its report dated November 13 are implemented.
Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted that air pollution had increased this year and stated that construction activities should be stopped in the national capital.
The bench, however, was not satisfied with the advocate’s suggestion and stated in its order, “The restriction to be imposed on activities in Delhi in a graded manner, taking into consideration AQI standards, has been finalised by experts in the field based on scientific data. We do not possess the expertise to deal with the same. We are, therefore, not inclined to act on the submission of Sankaranarayanan that all activities be stopped in Delhi. A large chunk of the population depends on the various activities for their livelihood in the capital.”
The bench has now listed the matter relating to air pollution for November 19. (ANI)
