India’s Supreme Court said vehicle emissions are a major contributor to Delhi’s worsening air pollution and questioned whether government measures are working. The remarks came during a hearing on Friday, November 6, as the city’s Air Quality Index remained above 300 during the week.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, sitting with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana, pointed to bumper-to-bumper traffic in Delhi and on roads connecting the capital with the National Capital Region. “A major cause of the pollution is vehicular pollution,” Kant said, according to DW. The court’s comments were made during a hearing; the reports do not describe a new ruling assigning a quantified share of pollution to vehicles.
The judges also questioned the prospect of bringing Delhi’s winter air quality below 100 on the AQI scale, saying “very poor” and “severe” conditions had become the new normal. A report by The Indian Express likewise described the court’s concerns about traffic and the measures in place.
The hearing also addressed crop-residue burning. The court said farmers should receive economic incentives and practical alternatives. It urged responsible celebrations during festivals, including Diwali, when fireworks add to air pollution.
Delhi’s air quality regularly worsens as winter approaches, with weather conditions helping trap pollutants. The Supreme Court’s remarks focused on the continued difficulty of controlling pollution and the role of vehicle emissions alongside other sources.
Reid Bentley