Delhi's Air Pollution Crisis: Supreme Court Voices Serious Concerns
The Supreme Court has expressed profound concern over the escalating air pollution levels in Delhi, describing the situation as "very, very serious". On Thursday, November 13, 2025, the court addressed the issue, emphasizing the inadequacy of protective measures like masks and urging lawyers to utilize video conferencing for hearings to mitigate health risks.
Justice P.S. Narsimha, presiding over a bench with Justice Atul S. Chandurkar, questioned the physical presence of lawyers in court, given the availability of virtual hearing facilities. Justice Narsimha warned of the potential for permanent damage from the toxic air and suggested discussing the matter further with the Chief Justice of India. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal noted that lawyers were wearing masks, but Justice Narsimha responded by saying even masks may not be enough.
Delhi has been grappling with severe air quality for several days, with a thick blanket of smog blanketing the city. For the third consecutive day, the air quality remained in the "severe" category, posing significant health risks, especially for individuals with respiratory or cardiac conditions. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 8 am showed alarming readings across various monitoring stations, with Bawana recording the highest AQI at 460 and NSIT Dwarka reporting the lowest at 216. Other areas with high AQI levels included Anand Vihar (431), Chandni Chowk (455), and ITO (438).
The court's concern extends beyond the immediate health risks, with a bench led by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai directing Punjab and Haryana to provide detailed data on the measures taken to curb stubble burning, a major contributor to the toxic haze. The court has instructed counsels representing the two states to gather and present relevant data within one week. Chief Justice Gavai emphasized the need for concrete evidence of enforcement and policy action, holding these state administrations accountable for the continued decline in air quality in the region and said the matter will be addressed on November 17.
In a related development, a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to declare situations where the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses 250 as a 'disaster' under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Filed by Vikrant Tongad, the Founder of the trust organization 'Social Action for Forest & Environment (SAFE)', the application proposes a series of measures to tackle the air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR and other states and UTs. These measures include declaring an AQI above 250 as a disaster and promoting massive grassing and vegetation of roadsides and open areas to absorb dust particles and enhance carbon sequestration.
The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the severity of Delhi's air pollution crisis and the urgent need for comprehensive and effective measures to protect public health and the environment.
