Supreme Court Presses Air Quality Commission to Prevent Delhi-NCR Pollution Surge

In a move to address the persistent air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on November 3, 2025, directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit outlining the steps it has taken so far to prevent the situation from deteriorating further.

The bench, comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, expressed concern over media reports indicating that several air quality monitoring stations in Delhi were not functioning during the Diwali period. The amicus curiae, senior advocate Aparajita Singh, highlighted that out of 37 monitoring stations, only nine were operational on the day of Diwali, making it difficult to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in a timely manner.

The court emphasized the need for proactive measures, rather than reactive steps, once pollution levels reach a "severe" stage. The bench directed the CAQM to submit a clear action plan and data to ensure that the authorities are equipped to address the air quality crisis effectively.

Notably, on October 15, 2025, the same bench had permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali, with specific conditions aimed at balancing tradition with environmental and health concerns. The court had made it clear that the relaxation was only a "test case basis" and would be limited to the specified period.

As the capital grapples with the persistent air pollution challenge, the Supreme Court's directive to the CAQM underscores the urgency to implement comprehensive and proactive measures to safeguard the well-being of Delhi-NCR residents.