The National Green Tribunal, while considering the human health aspect , directed the authorities to take the best possible measure so that air quality in the Delhi city improves.
The Principal Bench of Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, Justice Sudhir Agarwal and Dr. A. Senthil Vel heard an application on the issue of worsening air quality in Delhi and NCR region.
The Tribunal considering the issue on 20.10.2023 had called for the report from different authorities. Thereafter, when the matter was taken on 08.11.2023 the reports were considered by the Tribunal and the status of Air Quality Index (AQI) from 20.10.2023 (i.e the date of passing of first order) till 07.11.2023 was considered and it was noted by the Bench that instead of improving, the air quality had gone from bad to worse falling in very poor and severe category. Considering the fact that there was no visible improvement in the air quality, the respondents were directed to take stringent measure so that the Air Quality Index in Delhi and NCR improves. Accordingly fresh action taken reports were called.
In a block of past 11 days the air quality was severe for three days, very poor for five days and poor for three days. Thus NGT do not notice any significant improvement in the air quality.
After the previous order of the Tribunal additional action taken report on behalf of Government of NCT of Delhi has been filed with an attempt to show that an action has been taken to reduce the air pollution.
Separate action taken report on behalf of CPCB dated 18.11.2023 has been filed wherein , the results of trial of various new technologies for air pollution control undertaken for CPCB have been disclosed.
It has been pointed out that only the measure relating to control of dust emission using dust suppressant have been found to be effective and that the pilot study for assessment of reducing air pollution in urban areas by using outdoor cleaning systems (also called Smog Tower) is under evaluation and that the draft report in this regard has been received from IIT Bombay and same is under review from group of expert from IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, CSIR, CSIR – NPL and Engineers India Ltd.
Similarly action taken report has been filed by the MCD on 18.11.2023 stating about mechanical road sweepers, sprinkling of water on road, prohibiting open burning and others.
Further a report has been filed by GNCTD dated 17.11.2023 filing the status on various measures taken for controlling air pollution. However, the action plan has failed to provided concrete proposals and action taken thereof which would indicate an improvement in the air quality.
A report has also been filed by Commission for Air Quality Management dated 17.11.2023 which has been the integration of actions taken in the NCR and adjoining area.
It is difficult to accept the stand of different authorities that they are taking all possible measures to control air pollution and improve the quality of air because the air quality index of Delhi (as reproduced in the earlier part of the order for the previous period) does not indicate any significant improvement. The newspaper report of the newspaper dated 20.11.2023 disclosed that on account of the poor air quality in the city, serious health hazards are been faced by the residents of the different age group and categories. As per the said report especially asthmatic patient, elderly persons, pregnant women are facing complication and health risk.