'Hope you're enjoying Delhi's weather': CJI quips at pollution hearing
What's the story
The Supreme Court on Friday began hearing the suo motu case concerning air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, who headed a three-judge bench, opened the proceedings with a light-hearted remark: "I hope you all are enjoying the weather in Delhi." Delhi's air quality remained 'very poor' for the fifth consecutive day on Friday, even turning 'severe' at 6:00am.
Health concerns
Breathing in NCR is like smoking 30 cigarettes: Amicus curiae
Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, appearing as amicus curiae in the case, stressed on the health impact of severe air pollution.
"We are hovering around severe...we are losing our voice as well. It's like smoking 30 cigarettes a day!" she said.
Singh also noted that stubble burning contributed to 14% of pollution on November 5, when Delhi was already polluted before farm fires added to it.
Pollution reduction
Stubble burning has reduced this year, ASG tells court
Appearing for the Centre, the Additional Solicitor General (ASG) informed the court that stubble burning has reduced this year, especially in Haryana.
He also said that the state has introduced financial incentives.
"I will put it to agriculture ministry. What we are doing currently on stubble - I have given a note. Sector-wise we have put the key measures. Vehicular pollution - phasing out of diesel-operated rickshaws, mandating all buses from other cities to Delhi."
Pollution management
Why can't people return to original customs, asks CJI
CJI Kant then added that the major cause remained vehicular pollution.
"Look at the roads in Delhi, connecting to NCR. The kind of bumper to bumper vehicles are going."
The ASG said the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) manages activities according to pollution levels but admitted that Delhi's geographical location makes it difficult for smoke to disperse.
AQI update
Delhi's overall AQI at 'very poor' level
Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 389 in the "very poor" category on Friday morning, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Several monitoring stations recorded AQI levels in the "severe" category. IIT Delhi and Rohini recorded an AQI of 474 each.
Other areas also reported high pollution levels, with Anand Vihar and Akshardham recording an AQI of 359.