The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and state pollution control boards to devise and submit measures to curb air pollution within three weeks, anticipating the seasonal spike in pollution levels ahead of winter.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran issued the directions while hearing a suo motu case regarding vacancies in these authorities. The court said it will next review compliance on October 8.
The apex court expressed displeasure at the lack of preparedness, noting that inadequate manpower in pollution control boards worsens the crisis during high-pollution months. It instructed states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab, to fill existing vacancies in their pollution control boards within three months.
For promotional posts in CAQM, CPCB, and state boards, the bench granted a longer deadline of six months. The court observed that delays in staffing key environmental agencies directly affect enforcement and monitoring efforts.
The CAQM is a statutory authority set up by the Centre to monitor, manage, and improve air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and adjoining states, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Its mandate includes coordinating efforts across state boundaries to tackle severe air pollution episodes.
The court’s intervention comes at a crucial time, with air pollution levels in north India typically peaking in October and November due to stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and adverse weather conditions. The bench underscored that preventive measures must be in place before winter sets in, to avoid yet another season of hazardous air quality.
