Delhi Pollution Case & Update – Supreme Court Orders, GRAP Implementation & Legal Implications

Introduction 

• The Delhi pollution case is a public health crisis that has been plaguing the city for decades. The air pollution in Delhi is consistently among the worst in the world, and it is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year.
• The primary sources of air pollution in Delhi include vehicular emissions, industry, construction, and dust. The city's geography and climate also contribute to the problem. Delhi is located in a bowl-shaped valley, which traps pollutants and prevents them from dispersing. The city also has a hot and dry climate, which further exacerbates the problem.
• The Supreme Court of India has taken several steps to address the Delhi pollution case. The court directed the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of measures designed to reduce air pollution during periods of poor air quality. The court has also issued several orders to reduce vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.
• However, despite the court's intervention, the air quality in Delhi has not improved significantly. The states have been slow to implement the GRAP, and they have not done enough to reduce pollution from vehicles and industry.
• The Delhi pollution case is a complex problem with no easy solutions. However, the states must take more action to reduce air pollution in Delhi. The lives of millions of people are at stake.

Some of the Specific Details 

• The air quality in Delhi is consistently among the worst in the world. In 2022, Delhi was ranked the most polluted metropolitan city in the world by IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company.
• Air pollution is estimated to cause thousands of deaths each year in Delhi. A 2018 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research found that air pollution causes 1.24 million deaths in India each year.
• The primary sources of air pollution in Delhi include vehicular emissions, industry, construction, and dust.
• The Supreme Court of India has taken several steps to address the Delhi pollution case, including directing the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) and reduce vehicular emissions and industrial pollution.
• However, the air quality in Delhi has not improved significantly despite the court's intervention. The states have been slow to implement the GRAP, and they have not done enough to reduce pollution from vehicles and industry.
• The Delhi pollution case is a severe public health crisis, and it is essential to hold the states accountable for taking action to reduce air pollution and protect the lives of their citizens.
• The Supreme Court of India directed the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to take immediate action to control air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the efforts taken by the states so far, noting that the air quality in Delhi has not improved significantly in recent years.
• The court's order comes in response to a petition filed by a group of environmental activists, who alleged that the states were not doing enough to curb air pollution. The activists argued that the states had failed to implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a set of measures designed to reduce air pollution during periods of poor air quality.
• The Supreme Court's order is a welcome step in the fight against air pollution in Delhi. Air pollution is a significant health hazard, and it is estimated that it causes thousands of deaths each year in the city. The states must now take immediate action to implement the court's order and reduce air pollution levels in Delhi.

The Court's Direction to States

• Strictly implement the GRAP.
• Take steps to reduce stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Control vehicular emissions.
• Reduce dust pollution.
• Increase the number of air quality monitoring stations.
  Implement a public awareness campaign on air pollution.

Experts' Opinion

• Environmental experts have welcomed the Supreme Court's order, but they have also cautioned that it will take time and effort to implement the court's directions. They have also urged the states to work together to address the problem of air pollution.
• "The Supreme Court's order is a positive step, but it is important to remember that air pollution is a complex problem with no easy solutions," said Anumita Roychowdhury, an executive director-research and advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment. "It will take time and effort to implement the court's directions, and the states must work together to address the problem."
• Roychowdhury also said that the states must focus on reducing emissions from all sources, including vehicles, industry, and construction. She also said that the states must invest in public transportation and encourage people to walk, cycle, or use public transportation instead of cars.
• "The states must also invest in air quality monitoring and research to better understand the sources of air pollution and develop effective mitigation strategies," Roychowdhury said.

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