Smog in Delhi: Supreme Court to hear plea on 'alarming' air pollution levels today

SC will hear a plea filed by Environment Pollution Control Authority seeking the court’s intervention in monitoring air pollution in Delhi.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will on Tuesday hear a plea on the alarming level of pollutants in Delhi-NCR that has forced the state government to shut down schools and ban construction works.

The plea was filed by the Environment Pollution Control Authority which has sought a proper monitoring of worsening pollution levels in the national capital and adjoining areas. 

Describing the situation as a public emergency, the EPCA urges the apex court to consider taking stringent action. 

The Centre for Science and Environment and its director Sunita Narain has called on the apex court to monitor the Delhi government's emergency plan to bring the pollution levels down. 

A bench led by Chief Justice TS Thakur has said it has already passed orders and they need to be implemented. 

Meanwhile, Environment Secretariess of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan will submit report on burning of agricultural residues and pollution control to National Green Tribunal. 

On Friday, the NGT had issued a summon to the environment secretaries and asked them to submit a report on the burning of agricultural residues as well as the steps taken to curb pollution.

The panel also asked the Delhi government to stop all 10-year-old diesel vehicles from plying on roads in the National Capital Region. 

The NGT had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter after air pollution in the national Capital rose to extremely hazardous levels post Diwali. 

A thick blanket of smog continues to hover over the national capital even as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced several measures to combat the problem, including closing of schools and halting all construction and demolition activity in the state.

The Centre convened a meeting of Environment Ministers of Delhi and neighbouring states yesterday to find a solution to the problem.