The Supreme Court on Monday passed a number of directions to combat the acute problem of air pollution in Delhi NCR and adjoining areas in North India..The Special Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta passed these directions to curb the menace of air pollution in Northern India, particularly in Delhi. The national capital battles with worrisome air quality when Winter sets in as a result of various factors. One of the primary reasons identified is crop or stubble burning in adjoining states of Punjab and Haryana..After having pulled up the authorities of not only Punjab and Haryana but also Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR for failing to take measures to curb pollution levels, the Supreme Court on Monday passed a slew of directions. These directions touch upon various aspects ranging from stubble burning to smog..The Apex Court had earlier directed for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCR to form a high level committee to come up with an action plan to curb pollution. The report of this committee of the decisions taken is required to be placed before the Supreme Court along with the details of the decisions taken thus far..Air Pollution: “Life not cheap”, Supreme Court asks States why no liability should be imposed on them.As regards steps for prevention of stubble burning, a comprehensive plan is directed to be made, with the Court stressing on the need for a final decision to be taken on incentives to be given to farmers for in-situ farming, rather than burning of stubble. .The Court has also asked the Central government along with the State governments of Punjab, Haryana, and UP to come up with a scheme regarding provision of machinery to small and marginal farmers to ensure in-situ stubble management is done. The scheme pertains to providing the equipment and machines at a nominal charge or free of cost..On the issue of smog, the Court has directed the Government of Delhi to erect smog towers, as proposed in its affidavit, at specified locations of Connaught Place and Anand Vihar. These projects are required to be completed within three months, the Top Court has said..Delhi Air Pollution: Every year we choke; governments pass the buck, Supreme Court.Anti-smog guns ought to be used in Delhi during construction activities, at mining locations, at large open spaces and gatherings, and dust prone traffic corridors. The Court has, additionally, also invoked the principle of "polluter pays" while talking about projects that require environmental clearance from the government..Let an appropriate policy decision be also taken with respect to cost of installation, duly considering the principle “polluters pay” evolved by this Court.Supreme Court.Taking the principle of polluter pays further, the Court has sought for action to be taken against those builders found to be flouting the provisions of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016. A status report in this regard is sought from the authorities of the States..Among the various directions issued, the States have been ordered to apprise the Court of the facilities available for recycling of construction or demolition material..Further, the State governments are directed to ensure that waste material is not burnt and is processed instead, and that action is taken against industries emitting black smoke from their chimneys..The Court has also required the States to file a report of steps to be taken to reduce traffic congestion problem..Other directions issued include those pertaining to compliance of solid waste management rules, smoke emission control, monitoring ambient air quality standards, control of garbage waste generations, water quality standards, sewage and industrial effluent treatment, etc..[Read Order]
The Supreme Court on Monday passed a number of directions to combat the acute problem of air pollution in Delhi NCR and adjoining areas in North India..The Special Bench of Justices Arun Mishra and Deepak Gupta passed these directions to curb the menace of air pollution in Northern India, particularly in Delhi. The national capital battles with worrisome air quality when Winter sets in as a result of various factors. One of the primary reasons identified is crop or stubble burning in adjoining states of Punjab and Haryana..After having pulled up the authorities of not only Punjab and Haryana but also Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR for failing to take measures to curb pollution levels, the Supreme Court on Monday passed a slew of directions. These directions touch upon various aspects ranging from stubble burning to smog..The Apex Court had earlier directed for the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi NCR to form a high level committee to come up with an action plan to curb pollution. The report of this committee of the decisions taken is required to be placed before the Supreme Court along with the details of the decisions taken thus far..Air Pollution: “Life not cheap”, Supreme Court asks States why no liability should be imposed on them.As regards steps for prevention of stubble burning, a comprehensive plan is directed to be made, with the Court stressing on the need for a final decision to be taken on incentives to be given to farmers for in-situ farming, rather than burning of stubble. .The Court has also asked the Central government along with the State governments of Punjab, Haryana, and UP to come up with a scheme regarding provision of machinery to small and marginal farmers to ensure in-situ stubble management is done. The scheme pertains to providing the equipment and machines at a nominal charge or free of cost..On the issue of smog, the Court has directed the Government of Delhi to erect smog towers, as proposed in its affidavit, at specified locations of Connaught Place and Anand Vihar. These projects are required to be completed within three months, the Top Court has said..Delhi Air Pollution: Every year we choke; governments pass the buck, Supreme Court.Anti-smog guns ought to be used in Delhi during construction activities, at mining locations, at large open spaces and gatherings, and dust prone traffic corridors. The Court has, additionally, also invoked the principle of "polluter pays" while talking about projects that require environmental clearance from the government..Let an appropriate policy decision be also taken with respect to cost of installation, duly considering the principle “polluters pay” evolved by this Court.Supreme Court.Taking the principle of polluter pays further, the Court has sought for action to be taken against those builders found to be flouting the provisions of Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016. A status report in this regard is sought from the authorities of the States..Among the various directions issued, the States have been ordered to apprise the Court of the facilities available for recycling of construction or demolition material..Further, the State governments are directed to ensure that waste material is not burnt and is processed instead, and that action is taken against industries emitting black smoke from their chimneys..The Court has also required the States to file a report of steps to be taken to reduce traffic congestion problem..Other directions issued include those pertaining to compliance of solid waste management rules, smoke emission control, monitoring ambient air quality standards, control of garbage waste generations, water quality standards, sewage and industrial effluent treatment, etc..[Read Order]
