A public interest litigation has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking urgent directions to tackle what it calls “life-threatening” air pollution levels in the national capital. The petition, moved by the Greater Kailash-II Welfare Association, urges the court to compel authorities to adopt effective, scientific and time-bound measures to address the worsening air quality.
Plea Flags Chronic Deterioration of Air Quality
The petition states that Delhi’s ambient air quality has “deteriorated drastically” in recent years, with the Air Quality Index frequently slipping into “very poor”, “severe”, and even “hazardous” categories during the winter season. This prolonged exposure, it says, has resulted in serious respiratory and other health complications, particularly affecting children, senior citizens, and individuals with existing medical conditions.
Authorities Accused of Inaction and Cosmetic Measures
According to the plea, the government and regulatory bodies remained “virtually inactive” even as air quality continued to decline. The petitioner alleges that authorities invoked “Stage III” emergency measures only after AQI levels had already breached critical limits.
The petition criticises what it calls “belated and cosmetic action”, arguing that several measures remained confined to paper with no meaningful enforcement on the ground. This, the plea contends, amounts to “recklessly endangering the lives and health of the people”.
‘Red Alert’ Ignored, Says Petitioner
The petition points out that experts issued a “red alert” on November 21, warning that the city’s air had become “life-threatening”. Despite this, it says, no concrete or commensurate action followed. Representations made by the petitioner’s association to the authorities have allegedly yielded no response.
Respondents Named
The PIL names several agencies and authorities as respondents, including:
- Government of Delhi
- Delhi Pollution Control Committee
- Central Pollution Control Board
- Commission for Air Quality Management
- Municipal Corporation of Delhi
- Delhi Police
