The Supreme Court of India has sharply criticized the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for its handling of the air pollution crisis in the Delhi-NCR region. The court described the CAQM's approach as "unserious" and lacking urgency, saying it appeared to be in "no hurry" to identify the real causes of deteriorating air quality or develop strategies for sustainable improvement.
The court's criticism comes as Delhi continues to struggle with poor air quality, despite multiple measures taken over the years. The Supreme Court noted that expert institutions are sharply divided on the identification of pollution sources and their respective contribution to the deteriorating Air Quality Index (AQI). The court has ordered the CAQM to convene a meeting of domain experts within two weeks and submit a report identifying the major contributors to AQI deterioration, which will be made public to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Supreme Court will continue to monitor the issue on a regular basis and has warned the CAQM that it will not grant long adjournments in the matter. The court's intervention is seen as a significant step in addressing the long-standing issue of air pollution in Delhi, which has serious implications for public health and the environment.