The National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice on Friday to the Chief Secretaries of states where the Air Quality Index (AQI) has fallen to severe, very poor, and poor levels. They have been directed to take immediate corrective measures and submit reports on actions taken before the Tribunal, including Delhi, stated an agency report 

According to the report, the Tribunal, while seeking a response, stressed on the urgency of the situation. The air quality bulletins highlight severe conditions in various cities. Consequently, immediate actions are imperative to prevent and control air pollution in these cities, ensuring better air quality for residents.

The NGT bench, led by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising Sudhir Agarwal and A Senthil Vel, exercised suo moto powers based on the Air Quality Bulletins of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) from October 20, 2023, to November 1, 2023.

The reports indicated that several cities had experienced a decline in the Air Quality Index to “very poor” or even “severe” levels. For instance, on November 1, 2023, cities like Hanumangarh, Fatehabad, and Hisar reached the “severe” air quality level. In cities such as Bahadurgarh, Biwani, Charkhi Dadri, Faridabad, Greater Noida, Kaithal, Noida, Rohtak, Sri Ganganagar, and Delhi, the air quality was rated “very poor.” Additionally, cities including Amritsar, Ankleshwar, Baddi, Balllabgarh, Bathinda, Bharatpur, Bhiwadi, Bhopal, and many others faced “poor” air quality.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the NGT has involved the Chief Secretaries of the concerned states, the Chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Member Secretary of the CPCB, and the National Task Force through its head secretary, MoEF&CC, as parties in the case. They have been requested to respond and are directed to take corrective actions, submitting reports reflecting compliance with the Tribunal`s directives issued over time in this regard.

Delhi Air Pollution

On Friday, the air quality in several parts of Delhi reeled under the `severe` category with Mundka recording the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) of 498. The Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the government cannot control the pollution completely and that the sources outside the city cause twice the pollution than inside. He also said that the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led government is working on a war footing to curb the pollution level. 

Mumbai Air Pollution

The latest data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Mumbai;s AQI on Friday was `moderate` (138); however, the air quality at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) on the previous Friday morning was categorised as `very poor` with an AQI of 301. Earlier this week, Maharashtra Minister Deepak Kesarkar, serving as the guardian minister for Mumbai, said the authorities have identified six technology-based interventions which include vehicle-mounted air filters, to reduce air pollution in the financial capital.

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