Supreme Court highlights stubble burning and vehicle emissions in Delhi pollution hearing
During a hearing on the NCR air-quality crisis, the Supreme Court urged advance pricing for crop stubble and noted that both agricultural fires and vehicular emissions contribute to severe pollution levels.
The Supreme Court bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, heard a petition on the persistent air-pollution problem in the National Capital Region. The judges called for the procurement price of crop stubble to be announced well in advance and for a management system to be provided to gram panchayats.
"I hope you all are enjoying the weather in Delhi," the Chief Justice remarked at the start of the proceedings.
Amicus curiae Aparajita Singh told the court that pollution levels remain in the "severe" category, affecting even her voice, and likened breathing the regional air to "smoking 30 cigarettes every day." She estimated that stubble burning accounts for about 14 % of Delhi's pollution and emphasized the need for urgent action to curb both agricultural fires and local waste-burning.
The bench questioned whether stubble burning is the sole cause, asking if the affluent class and their private vehicles also play a role. Singh confirmed that transportation is a primary source of pollution in the Delhi-NCR area.
"Pollution certificates are geotagged from their point of issuance and fuel is not available without a certificate," Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said, outlining measures such as restricting entry to BS-6-compliant vehicles, phasing out diesel rickshaws and tightening regulations for inter-city buses.
Bhati also noted that a scheme to address stubble burning is already in place and that the government has submitted a note detailing region-specific actions. She mentioned the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and highlighted that Delhi’s geography hampers air dispersion in winter.
The court pointed out gaps in compliance with a previous directive to prevent vehicle idling at toll plazas, noting that vehicles often stop at Delhi’s borders with engines running, further worsening air quality.
"Pollution certificates are geotagged from their point of issuance and fuel is not available without a certificate," Bhati added, stressing both immediate and medium-term steps to improve public transport.
Chief Justice Kant observed that the Air Quality Index was approaching 400 and that multiple activities, including festival celebrations, add to the pollution load.