SC Raps CAQM for Inaction on Delhi-NCR Air Pollution

The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for what it described as a lack of seriousness in addressing the persistent air pollution crisis in the Delhi-NCR region, and directed the statutory body to urgently convene a coordinated meeting of domain experts and place a comprehensive report on record as well as in the public domain.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that there was no uniformity among expert bodies on the identification of pollution sources and their proportionate contribution to the deteriorating air quality.

The Court observed that different expert institutions, including technical bodies such as the Indian Institutes of Technology, had attributed widely varying percentages to emission sectors.

By way of illustration, the Bench pointed out that the contribution of the transport and emission sector to the worsening Air Quality Index (AQI) in the NCR ranged between 12 per cent and 41 per cent, depending on the expert assessment.

Despite multiple measures taken over the years, the Court noted that air quality in the National Capital Region continued to remain poor, if not aggravated.

The Bench observed that it had been compelled to take up the issue intermittently over a long period, seeking assistance from experts and amici curiae, yet the situation had shown no sustained improvement.

Referring to its earlier order dated December 17, 2025, the Court recalled that CAQM had been specifically directed to revisit and place before it long-term remedial measures. However, instead of a concrete action plan, CAQM had filed only a status note.

The Bench remarked that the note "does not reflect any seriousness on the part of the authority, and is unfortunately silent on most of the issues raised by this Court."

The Court further observed that CAQM appeared to be in "no hurry" to either identify the precise causes of worsening AQI or to formulate long-term solutions, leaving the Court with no option but to issue directions to expedite both exercises.

The Bench also expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavits filed by various civic and statutory authorities. It noted that the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, instead of proposing solutions, had focused on justifying toll plazas as a source of revenue. The National Highways Authority of India and the Gurugram Metro Development Authority were also referred to as having sought apportionment of environmental compensation charges.

The Court recalled that on December 17 it had suggested the closure of toll plazas in the NCR to ease traffic congestion.

Taking note of the submissions made by amicus curiae, Senior Advocate Aparajita Singh, on issues such as vehicular pollution, industrial emissions, power plant compliance, construction dust, road dust and the use of firecrackers, the Court emphasised that CAQM was duty-bound to bring all relevant domain experts under one umbrella and arrive at a uniform identification of causes based on available data.

Accordingly, the Bench directed CAQM to convene a meeting of shortlisted experts within two weeks and, based on their continuous deliberations, submit a report identifying the major causes contributing to AQI deterioration.

The Court further directed that the report be placed in the public domain to facilitate public awareness and participation.

CAQM was also asked to simultaneously begin examining long-term solutions and plan their phased implementation, prioritising measures targeting the highest contributing sources of pollution.

The issue of toll plazas was directed to be reconsidered independently, uninfluenced by the stands taken by various stakeholders.

The Court made it clear that it would not grant long adjournments in the matter and would continue to monitor the issue on an ongoing basis.