[Delhi Air Pollution] Bureaucracy has gone into inertia: CJI NV Ramana

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana today pointed out the bureaucracy's failure to take measures to curb the air pollution that has engulfed Delhi and surrounding areas [Aditya Dubey v. Union of India] .

. " Bureaucracy has gone into inertia and they don't want to do anything. For using sprinklers or water buckets, we have to say. This is the attitude of the executive, " he said.

. " It is apathy and just apathy, " Justice DY Chandrachud, who was also the Bench along with the CJI, concurred.

. The Court was hearing a case filed by a 17-year-old Delhi student relating to air pollution in Delhi and its adjoining areas.

The observations were made after the Court discussed possible methods by which the air pollution choking the national capital could be brought down. These included curbing the number of vehicles on the road, banning firecrackers, addressing stubble burning and halting construction.

Justice Surya Kant observed,

"You all say transport is main cause. We know all the gas guzzlers, hi-fi cars run on Delhi roads. Who will encourage them to stop this?"

Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta asked the Court to wait till November 21 before ordering harsh measures since the wind flow could then improve and thereby disperse the pollutants.

"Meteorological scientists were there in the emergency meeting (of the Central government four States) and as per them, the wind flow will be there after November 21. Would this Court not consider waiting till November 21 before implementing harsher measures?"

CJI Ramana replied,

"Delhi government says there is no meaning of banning vehicles or have work from home if not implemented in all neighbouring states. We thought the commission (Commission for the Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas) will give us steps like stop this that etc."

"Basically by November 21, nature will come to your rescue," Justice DY Chandrachud chimed in.

. Earlier at the hearing, Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had highlighted the condition of Delhi air lamenting how breathing normally has become difficult.

" Even with steroids and inhalers, I cannot breathe normally in this city. Delhi is gasping! Your lordships stay in Lutyens Delhi where the situation may be better but rest of Delhi is gasping. Lutyens Delhi may also have the same situation ."

. The Bench posted the matter for hearing next week, even as Singh complained about the lack of directions to States to control the stubble burning issue.

Read what Supreme Court said about TV debates here .

Read what Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said about TV debates here .

. [Read a live account of the hearing]

. [Read Order]

[Delhi Air Pollution] Bureaucracy has gone into inertia: CJI NV Ramana

Debayan Roy

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