Delhi Air Pollution: Supreme Court asks CAQM to pass order against outdoor sports activities in schools

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to issue directions against holding outdoor sports activities in schools till further orders, due to the poor air quality in National Capital Region (NCR).

The bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran passed the order after an amicus curiae submitted that schools were holding sports competitions in November-December despite it being a peak period for air pollution.

It was like putting the school-going children in gas chambers, the Court was told. The Court then passed the following direction,

"We request CAQM to take this into consideration and issue necessary directions to shift such sport competition to safer months."

The Court today also ordered that the matter on Delhi air quality be heard on a monthly basis to monitor the measures being taken by the authorities.

"Regarding implementation of steps, we are of the view than just dealing with it when pollution is at its peak... it has to be monitored regularly so that implementation of measures is done regularly and thus let the matter be listed monthly basis when action taken reports by CAQM, MoEFCC is taken on record and necessary orders are passed," the Court ordered.

Earlier, the amicus also submitted that State pollution control boards have no manpower.

"It was told that we react when pollution is at its peak. There is already a long-term policy since 2018 and there is a graded response plan since 2015 and it is all court driven. There is GRAP. All looks very good but on the ground state pollution control board also has vaccines.. and thus no manpower," the counsel submitted.

In response, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati said that action taken reports on steps taken will be filed.

Meanwhile, the Court directed the NCR states to take instructions about payment of subsistence allowance to construction workers, who have been affected by the restrictions put in place to improve air quality.

Earlier this week, the Court had directed the Delhi government to file an affidavit detailing the nature of equipment and their efficiency in measuring the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital.

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